The opening sentence of "The Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison is powerful because it immediately draws the reader in with its vivid imagery and symbolism. The sentence reads, "I am an invisible man." This sentence is powerful because it conveys the idea of invisibility in a way that is both literal and figurative. On a literal level, it speaks to the idea of a person who is literally invisible, unable to be seen by others. On a figurative level, it speaks to the idea of a person who is socially invisible, unable to be seen or heard by society. This sentence is interesting because it sets up the themes of invisibility and alienation that will be explored throughout the novel.
