Symbolism: Week 2

After learning that the Invisible Man took Mr. Norton to Trueblood’s cabin and the Golden Day, Dr. Bledsoe is furious at him for his lack of judgment. However, rather than expelling the narrator completely like he had expected, Dr. Bledsoe sends him to New York for the summer to work and earn his next year’s tuition. Upon arriving to New York, the narrator receives his first job at the Liberty Paints plant. The name of the company itself suggests freedom and equality, which ironically goes against how the narrator is treated by those around him. The company, famous for its Optic White paint, uses the slogan “’If It’s Optic White, It’s the Right White’” (217). The slogan demonstrates the cruel belief that only white can be right in society. Liberty Paints plant is a symbol used to portray the racial inequality between blacks and whites during this time period. In his training at the plant, the Invisible Man is shocked to learn that in order to create the pure white color, ten black drops of toner need to be added into each bucket of paint. The addition of the black paint indicates the necessity of black contribution to white America. Blacks play a major role in society, but are overlooked by the white’s, who are blind to their input. In choosing to incorporate a paint factory in the novel, Ralph Ellison is able to clearly demonstrate his thoughts on racism to his readers.