The Invisible Man: An Alien in New York Searching for Identity

Yıl 2013, Cilt: 14 Sayı: 2, 23 - 38, 01.06.2013

Alpaslan Toker

Öz

Alienation is a frequently discussed issue of modern society in general and contemporary sociological research in particular. It has been considered as an indication of personal disappointment and frustration with some particular structural entities of the community. This disappointment and frustration originate from a basic responsibility of society towards the demands and requirements of its members. African-American or black people in the USA were subjected to racism as well as segregation and they struggled for equal civil and judicial rights. Even though he was criticized about not personally participating in rallies and protests organized in support of the rightful cause of his people, Ralph Ellison lent his support to the prevalent social, political and aesthetic issues concerning his people in the significant body of his work. This article attempts to focus on this struggle of black Americans in order to achieve recognition and identity and most importantly, to portray their isolation and alienation in the process of achieving their civil rights simply as Americans in Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man

Anahtar Kelimeler

Alienation, Segregation, Identity, Freedom

Görünmez Adam: New York’ta Kimlik Arayan Bir Yabancı

Öz

Yabancılaşma modern toplumda genel olarak ve çağdaş sosyolojik araştırmalarda özellikle sık tartışılan bir konudur. Toplumun bazı özel yapısal oluşumlarıyla birlikte kişisel hayal kırıklığı ve hüsranın bir göstergesi olarak kabul edilmiştir. Bu hayal kırıklığı ve hüsran toplumun kendi üyelerinin istek ve gereksinimlerinden dolayı olan bir temel sorumluluğundan kaynaklanmaktadır. ABD’de yaşayan Afrikalı-Amerikalılar veya siyahi insanlar hem ırkçılık hem de ayrışımaya maruz kalmaktaydılar ve eşit sivil ve kanuni haklar için mücadele etmişlerdir. Kendi insanlarının haklı davasını desteklemek amacıyla düzenlenen mitingler ve protestolara bizzat katılmadığı için eleştirilen Ralph Ellison, kendi halkını ilgilendiren yaygın sosyal, siyasi ve estetik konulara olan desteğini eserlerinin önemli bir kısmında vermiştir. Bu makale Ralph Ellison’un İnvisible Man romanındaki siyahi Amerikalıların tanınma ve kimlik elde etmek için mücadelelerine odaklanmakta ve en önemlisi Amerikalılar olarak kendi sivil haklarını elde etme sürecinde yaşadıkları soyutlanma ve yabancılaşmayı tasvir etmektedir

Anahtar Kelimeler

Yabancılaşma, Ayrım, Kimlik, Özgürlük

Kaynakça

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