Invisible Man:
Mr. Norton- "you are my fate, young man"
he talks about emerson's self realiance and how emerson is important
but isnt he going aganist emerson's theory of self reliance??
My opinion, Not necessarily.
One can be self reliant and still be subject to outside forces.
We never know who we will meet or what unplanned situation we will face.
Mr. Norton, I think , is saying that their meeting is an "opportunity" that has been given him to "teach".
but i don't get it, mr norton relies on invisible man for his fate so therefore he isnt expressing emerson's theory.
also he isnt teaching anyone everyhting is for his benefit: does that tell me something??
Again, I don't believe that Mr.Norton is teaching for his own benefit.
Norton's meeting the invisible man, is a "happenstance, fluke of fate" that provides him with an opportunity to fulfill his destiny to be a "teacher". He does not have to accept this challenge. In that way, Norton's "fate" is in his own hands. He can choose NOT to 'teach'....and that too will determine his "fate".
To determine if Mr. Norton is going against Emerson's theory of self-reliance in Ralph Ellison's novel "Invisible Man," we need to understand Emerson's ideas and examine Mr. Norton's behavior in relation to those ideas.
Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American philosopher and writer known for his transcendentalist ideas. In his essay "Self-Reliance," Emerson emphasizes the importance of individualistic thinking, self-trust, and independence from societal influences. He argues that people should rely on their own instincts, ideas, and beliefs rather than conforming to societal norms.
In "Invisible Man," Mr. Norton is a wealthy white trustee of a college who expresses admiration for Emerson's ideas. However, his actions may contradict the principles of self-reliance. Mr. Norton sees himself as the young protagonist's fate, suggesting that he has a significant influence over the protagonist's life, contradicting the notion of individual agency.
Mr. Norton's statement could be interpreted in a few different ways. One interpretation is that he sees himself as having the power to shape the protagonist's fate, which undermines the idea of self-reliance. Alternatively, Mr. Norton might see himself as someone who can guide the protagonist towards self-realization, acting as a catalyst or mentor rather than a controlling force.
To fully understand whether Mr. Norton is going against Emerson's theory of self-reliance, it is essential to analyze his actions and motivations within the broader context of the novel. It may also be beneficial to explore how the protagonist responds to Mr. Norton's influence and whether he ultimately embraces or rejects self-reliance.
In conclusion, while Mr. Norton's statement suggests a contradiction to Emerson's theory of self-reliance, further examination of his actions and their effects on the protagonist is necessary to determine if he genuinely goes against these ideas.