Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison tells the story of an intelligent black man who has been oppressed by various people throughout his life. Ellison's novel proves to be deeply existential, showing the essence of what it means to be a human being and to actually exist with others while simultaneously being independent. The unnamed protagonist relentlessly confronts authenticity, absurdity, and alienation, conditions that Ellison links to the harsh realities of being black in America. This protagonist tries to find meaning in the life he is living, but ultimately discovers that there is nowhere in the world. Meaning becomes illusory when we are forced to live with dehumanization. He finds himself unable to realize being in a society that cannot see his humanity. Ultimately, he makes a conscious decision to withdraw from life and actually become what he is culturally: an invisible man. The narrator's elements of authenticity, absurdity and alienation demonstrate its position as an existential novel. Throughout the novel, the narrator explores the existential theme of authenticity, as seen ...