Ellison utilizes various characters and visuals connected to Washington to express his dissatisfaction with Washington’s conservative beliefs. This serves to convey Ellison’s notion that the North constructed Washington into a prominent figure among African-Americans through his association with Tuskegee Institute. Booker T. Washington, a prominent African-American leader during the late 19th and early 20th century, advocated for black assimilation into white society. He emphasized industrial education and personal hygiene for African-Americans.
Washington advised black Americans to abandon aspirations for political power, civil rights, and higher education for their youth. Instead, he urged them to strive for low-level jobs, work diligently, and seek acceptance from the white community. In his renowned speech known as the “Atlanta Compromise,” Washington asserts that, “In matters of social interactions, we can maintain our distinctness like the five fingers, yet be united like the hand in all aspects crucial for collective advancement” (Singleton 159).
Ellison discusses this theory through his depiction of his grandparents’ experiences in Invisible Man. According to Ellison, his grandparents were told that they were free and encouraged to unite with others for the betterment of society. They were expected to function like the fingers of a hand, working together harmoniously. Despite the implications of unity and progress, Ellison’s grandparents wholeheartedly accepted this belief. They took pride in it, obediently staying in their designated place and working diligently. Ultimately, this passage suggests that Time disapproves of his grandparents’ unquestioning acceptance of Booker T. Washington’s teachings (Ellison, Invisible 15).
According to W. E. B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington’s views align with the belief that the Negro races are inferior. One of Washington’s notable achievements was establishing the Tuskegee Institute, a college for black individuals that focused on training students in farming and artisan skills. Washington criticized academic programs for Afro-Americans and emphasized the importance of practical knowledge rather than relying solely on books.
Throughout much of Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison’s time at the Tuskegee Institute greatly influenced him, largely due to the ideologies of Booker T. Washington. This powerful impact can be seen from a young age, when TIM’s grandfather instills Washington-like beliefs in him. As his grandfather tells him, “Son, after I’m gone I want you to keep up the good fight! I want you to overcome with yeses, undermine with grins, agree to me to death and destruction, let me swell you till they vomit or bust wide open” (Ellison, Invisible 16).
The text suggests that Time sees himself as a potential Booker T. Washington, influenced by Washington’s ideas and speeches. This influence is evident from the early battle royal scene, where Time recites a speech by Washington, emphasizing the importance of making friends with people of all races.
This scene demonstrates the strong influence Booker T. had on the young TIM before he could form his own thoughts and realize that not all his beliefs were beneficial to the African-American community. In this scene, we also witness glimpses of Time’s true thoughts emerging amidst the Washington influence. He accidentally uses the phrase “social equality” instead of the accepted phrase “social responsibility,” which leads to the white audience shouting hostile phrases until he corrects himself and aligns with Booker T.’s beliefs by saying “social responsibility, sir” (Ellison, Invisible 31). This incident further highlights how TIM is compelled to adopt Washington’s ideals, this time by the white people who want him to accept these beliefs and never aspire for more. One white man even states, “We mean to do right by you, but you’ve got to know your place at all times” (Ellison, Invisible 31). Washington’s beliefs align with this request from the white man as evidenced by his quote, “The wisest among my race understand that the agitation of the question of social equality is the extremist folly” (Stateliest 7).
The text reveals further proof of how Ellison was influenced by the impact of Reverend Homer A. Barber’s sermon on the life of the Founder. This speech bears a striking resemblance to the Founder’s Day speeches, which used to be given annually in the spring at the Tuskegee Institute (12). Barber’s words praise the virtues of the Founder, portraying him as a heroic figure. He describes the “barren land after Emancipation” and how a humble prophet emerged and illuminated it wherever he went (Ellison, Invisible 92).
Initially, the speech greatly impacts TIM, but he eventually realizes that the speaker is blind both physically and in terms of political realities (Stateliest 12). This indicates that TIM is starting to think independently and recognize the flaws in Washington’s beliefs, rather than blindly accepting them. The characters, the Founder and Dr. Bledsoe, in Invisible Man, also strongly align with Washington and his ideologies.
The college Founder is a nearly exact depiction of Washington and is also a blend of mythology and exaggerated imagination, incorporating elements from Washington’s own life and legend. Upon TIM’s arrival at his new college, he encounters a statue of the college Founder revealing or concealing a slave’s face. TIM is perplexed, unable to determine whether the veil is truly being lifted or being tightly secured in place (Ellison, Invisible 36).
The paragraph discusses a statue that is an exact representation of one of Washington. The statue is erected in Tuskegee after Washington’s death. The paragraph also highlights the uncertainty felt by Ellison regarding whether his policies are truly benefiting the black community or further marginalizing them. Just like Washington, Ellison passes on the college to the new president, Dry. Blessed. Furthermore, Blessed can be seen as a combination of Washington’s successor, Robert Russia Motto, and even Washington himself. Blessed follows Booker T.’s principle of submission and pleasing the white man externally, as he believes that “the only way to please a white man is to tell him a lie!”
According to Ellison (Invisible 137), the question arises regarding the type of education one receives in this particular setting. This statement, along with the majority of other Washington-like concepts that TIM acquires while attending college, serves as evidence for the argument that the entire institution can be viewed as a realization of Aim’s grandfather’s dying advice (Newswomen 65). Additionally, TIM is encouraged by someone to utilize the power he possesses for personal gain and to “learn where you are and get yourself power” in order to remain in darkness and exploit it (Ellison, Invisible 145).
Blouse shares similar beliefs as Washington, advocating for Negroes to lead hard-working and honest lives in the segregated South. However, privately Washington expressed opposition to various controversial black issues, such as the grandfather clause (Stateliest 6). In Invisible Man, Blessed also possesses power and earns a similar level of respect as Booker T., although not quite matching his exceptional status (Ellison, Invisible 114). According to the narrator, Blessed is more than just a college president; he is like a fearful father figure to them, as they were afraid of him due to his imposing presence and authority (Ellison, Invisible 114).
Throughout the book, there are instances that criticize Booker T. Washington. For example, when TIM starts working at Liberty Paints, he is reminded of the old saying “elf you’re white, you’re right,” which parallels the factory’s slogan of “If it’s Optic White it’s the Right White” (Ellison, Invisible 213). This reflects Washington’s belief in satisfying and conforming to the white man. Another connection with Washington can be seen in Liberty Paints, where adding ten drops of pure black liquid intensifies the white paint. These drops symbolize African Americans who embrace white values and aspirations, endorsing and reinforcing the white-American way, or in other words, those who follow Booker T. Washington’s principles (Newswomen 74). TIM also associates the paint with his college’s ideals of Booker T. Washington, likening it to the well-decorated campus buildings (Ellison, Invisible 196).
Finally, Luscious Broadway, who works in the basement of Liberty paints and is essentially responsible for creating the paint, embodies the principles advocated by Booker T. Washington, which endorse African Americans remaining subordinate to white men and not striving for equality. These beliefs accompany Time throughout his entire journey. Initially, they are imposed upon him by his elders. Later, they are reinforced by Blessed at college. Ultimately, these ideals still influence Time as he has assimilated into society and wields his power without interference.
