"We do not show the Negro how to overcome segregation, but we teach him how to accept it as final and just," (Carter Woodson). In the novel, "Invisible Man," by Ralph Ellison, the main character, "Invisible Man" (IM), is nameless, invisible, and is thrown into many challenging social situations as a result of his race. Invisible Man captures and addresses the many struggles facing African Americans through IM at a time when blacks were perceived as greedy, emotionless and less intelligent than whites. Ellison creates aural imagery that attracts IM's attention, such as the disturbing black imagery of the coin bank. For instance, in the bank scene, IM becomes angered at the noises and begins to destroy symbols surrounding him. He discovers the bank is itself a symbol of racism, which pains him even more. He also provides specific references of racist symbolism that makes IM focus on materialistic objects, of which are not in his control. Through powerful racial symbols and imagery, we see how society controls and suppresses IM's desire for social and racial equality by presenting him with a job opportunity at the Brotherhood and exposes the ways in which racial stereotypes and oppression are perpetuated in society.
The passage begins with aural sounds from noises heard outside of Mary's house, causing IM to suddenly feel upset. Ellison highlights certain circumstances where IM feels discomfort, such as from the siren and other loud noises, inside the house. He struggles to cope with the people that have caused him to pain and acted as a burden on his life. As IM's anger intensifies, he strikes, "pieces of silver from the pipe, exposing the black and rusted iron," exposing the true imagery of the pipe: that the silver that covers the identity of the black and rusted pipe, equating to the black man in society. Although black is said to have good and positive attributes, rust represents the negative perception of their character and is reinforced numerous times throughout the book.
