Themes of Invisible Man

One of the major themes in invisible man is betrayal. In the book, the main character is feeling torn between black and white. He wants to be educated, which the white people can offer him, but feels like a traitor to his people when he acts submissive, or ‘invisible’, towards the white people. However, it’s not just the notion of betrayal. It is also of the main character finding where he belongs, where he wants to be. He has his goals and he knows what he wants to be. He wants to be educated and respected in his community. But in trying to achieve his goals, he feels the need to be reserved and submissive around the white people. He feels that by acting this way, he is not only betraying his people and going against his grandfathers wishes, but he is also becoming invisible.