Invisible Man presents many powerful people. Ralph Ellison has created characters rarely seen before in literature. However the traits he gave the characters can be traced back to people and creatures found in folklore all over the world.

In the South during slavery, numerous tales arose about Brother Rabbit, his animal friends, and his nemeses. These include Brother Bear, Brother Fox and more. Rabbit is very cunning and enjoys playing jokes on others. Quite often the brunt of his jokes is Bear who appears a little too trusting and gullible. Bear has been talked into quite a few dangerous and foolish situations by Rabbit, and he never seems to learn his lesson. Invisible Man seems to have followed Bear's example throughout the novel; he is constantly being tricked by others. This trend is first seen during the Battle Royal in which he is tricked into a murderous boxing match. It then follows him to New York where he unwittingly places unread, condemning letters into the hands of those he wishes to employ him. When he joins the Brotherhood, he does so not only because he needs the money but also because he believes in its tenets, never realizing that the brothers are simply using him. Finally, only after he falls into the hole, does he break away from the trend to become his own person.

In Roman mythology there lived a prophetic demi-god named Proteus. Although he usually appeared as an old man, he had the power to transform himself into any form he desired. Rinehart, an influential and well known man in Invisible Man's Harlem, has characteristics somewhat akin to Proteus. In an effort to escape the clutches of Ras the Destroyer, Invisible Man buys dark green glasses and a huge hat, unknowingly transforming himself into Rinehart. As he walks the streets of Harlem, he gradually learns more about the mysterious Rinehart and the myriad of roles he plays. Rinehart is known as a runner, a gambler, a lover, and even a reverend. He can change roles instantaneously for the different people he meets. In the same way, Proteus could change shape at any given moment.

Towards the end of the novel, it is learned that Brother Jack, the leader of the Brotherhood, has lost an eye in the line of duty. He claims that he exchanged it for a "lesson in discipline" or in other words, for knowledge. There shows a remarkable similarity between him and the Scandinavian god, Odin. Odin is the ruler of all the gods and omnipotent as is Brother Jack at times. Even more remarkable, however, is the fact that Odin gave up one of his eyes in return for vast knowledge. These two leaders both appear cold and unfeeling and sacrifice others heartlessly for "the good of the people."

People and animals in folklore are designed to have human like traits. That is how they gain a place in legends and stories everywhere. Because Ellison created very human characters, they all are comparable with legends and myths from around the world.

by Inger-Lis Nielsen