Oppression: The Power of One and Invisible Man

Oppression is the unfair and degrading treatment endured by a certain group of people. Oppression is a topic that is largely presented in both novels, The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay and Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. Both protagonists are seen as inferior to society and undergo many degrading experiences in which they are verbally and physically abused and isolated from society. In The Power of One, PK is a white African boy who is raised by his Grandfather and nanny on a farm in South Africa. Soon after, PK is sent to an afrikaans boarding school where he is abused by the other boys of the school and isolated from society simply because he is the only english-speaking student. Likewise, in Invisible Man, which takes place in New York City, the unnamed protagonist is a black male who deems himself “invisible,” as he is always disregarded in society. He receives a scholarship to college and during his time there he soon realizes he is inferior to the white supremacist society and becomes a victim of abuse. In both narratives, The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay and Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, Peeky and the unnamed protagonist are oppressed by numerous characters throughout the novel that seek to degrade them, evidently causing the protagonists emotional trauma. The verbal abuse, physical abuse as well as the social isolation are three evidential points in which the protagonists are in fact victims of oppression.

To begin, Peeky in The Power of One and the unnamed man in Invisible Man are the two protagonists that are verbally abused which causes both men to fall victim to oppression. They undergo many demeaning instances such as verbal abuse, physical abuse and social isolation throughout the plot which causes them to be subject to oppression. In Bryce Courtenay's The Power Of One, Peeky is held at trial and is demanded to bow down in front of the judge and his council of war, and the men continue to shower the young boy with urine. The judge then pulls down the boys pants and exposes his genitals to the entire court to witness. The Judge then points at the boys genitals and laughs. He makes a mockery of Peeky in the courthouse. The judge asks Peeky, “You hear, you a pisshead, who cut the hat off your snake, pisskop?” (Courtenay, 7). This quote is when the judge notices Peekys circumcised penis and criticizes him for it. The young boy is judged for this because in Africa it is traditional that men have uncircumcised penises. Therefore, Peeky is seen as inferior to society and is verbally abused because of his circumcised penis. This makes Peeky unwanted in society and emotionally absent from life and this proves peeky to be a victim of oppression. Likewise, in Invisible Man, the unnamed protagonist is victimized by many characters throughout the plot who seek to degrade him. Throughout the novel it is conveyed that the unnamed protagonist works as an entertainer for the rich white men. The protagonist dances and wrestles with his black co-workers for money. The white men place bids on each wrestler and the black men fight to the death. During an altercation between the white men and the black men, one of the white men says “I want to get at that ginger-colored nigger. Tear him limb from limb” (Ellison 21). This line is vastly offensive, the term “Nigger” is a derogatory term used against individuals of any dark-skinned race who are systematically subjected to discrimination and unfair treatment. This type of verbal abuse causes emotional trauma for the protagonist, as the word “Nigger” is a triggering word that white folks called black slaves in the twentieth century in attempts to gain control and power over them. This word can cause trauma as it may bring back the pain and hardships associated with the past. This proves the unnamed protagonist is a victim of oppression through the verbal abuse he endures.

Next, Peeky in The Power of One and the unnamed man in Invisible Man are the two protagonists that are physically abused which causes both men to fall victim to oppression. In Bryce Courtenay The power of one, the protagonist Peeky is attacked after he begs the Judge not to kill Granpa Chook, who is a chicken that peeky had grown a close bond with. Peeky says, “He pushed violently downward with his foot, sending me sprawling. Then he let out a howl, a mixture of anger and anguish...he started to kick blindly at me.” (Courtenay 52). Peeky is constantly tossed around for the other characters to use as a punching bag. This type of constant and cruel treatment towards Peeky causes him to feel worthless. Likewise, in Ralph Ellisons, Invisible Man, the unnamed protagonist is attacked by Dr. Brockway. Lucius Brockway is a black man who is employed at the Liberty Paint Factory, a company run by white men. Lucius is afraid of being replaced and losing his job. Brockways insecurities in his job caused him to attack the protagonist out of anger. Abruptly, “He scrambled beneath me, making angry sounds and striking my face as he tried to use the bar. I twisted it from his grasp, feeling a sharp pain stab through my shoulder. He’s using a knife, flashed through my mind and I slashed out with my elbow…..he struck again as he tried to choke me.” (Ellison 226). In this part of the plot, Brockway attacks the protagonist with a knife and threatens to kill him. Brockway uses his power to undertake the protagonist because of his own hardships. This proves that because the protagonist is seen as inferior to society, he can be used as a punching bag for the mighty and powerful people in society. This is a clear example of the physical abuse that that the protagonist in invisible man endures and is therefore a is a victim of oppression. In Yonka Krastevas’ literary criticism “Chaos and pattern in Ellison's Invisible Man” she explains the white society and how they inflict violence amongst minorities to turn against one another. She says “It foregrounds the practices of white society of channeling the negros’ anger and frustration against eachother, inflicting violence and self-destruction.” (Krastevas 4).

Next, Peeky in The Power of One and the unnamed man in Invisible Man are the two protagonists that fall into a pool of social isolation which causes both men to fall victim to oppression. In The Power of One by Bryce Courtaney, the protagonist, Peeky, is demanded to eat human feces by the Judge in front of all the other boys. The judge does this to embarrass peeky because he is different. Later, after being tortured and tormented by the Judge, Peeky explains “Deep inside me the loneliness laid a large stone egg.” (Courtenay 53). This quote is explaining the loneliness peeky is feeling. He feels isolated from the world because of the inhumane treatment he has endured simply because he is different. This quote proves Peekys mental battle with feelings of social isolation and this makes him a victim of oppression. Likewise, in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, the protagonist starts off the plot by explaining his internal conflicts with his invisibility and his position in society and how everyone around him does not see him. He says, “I am an invisible man ...That invisibility to which I refer occurs because of a peculiar disposition of the eyes of those with whom I come in contact. A matter of the construction of their inner eyes, those eyes with which they look through their physical eyes upson reality.” (Ellison 3). This quote is indirectly created by the characters surrounding the protagonist and causes him to feel isolated from society. This quote is the protagonist talking about how people in society view him as invisible. His thoughts, opinions and actions are completely disregarded, this is why he feels invisible. This is because of the racial separation between whites and blacks, and the unjust treatment black folks endure in society. The white societies have many preconceived thoughts on black people and treat them like garbage. The protagonist in the novel deems himself invisible due to the lack of attention he gets as a black man. This quote proves his mental battle with feelings of social isolation and proves that the protagonist is a victim of oppression. In Leonard Engels’ literary criticism “Alienation and Identity” he explains the invisibility and isolation that the protagonist endures, whether that be isolation as a result of oppression or alienation from himself, in Ralph ellison's invisible man, the protagonist has many times where he feels alone and isolated from society. 

In conclusion, both The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay and Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, Peeky and the unnamed protagonist are oppressed by numerous characters throughout the novel that seek to degrade them, evidently causing the protagonists emotional trauma. The verbal abuse, when peeky is humilated in the courthouse and when the unnamed protagonist is called a “Nigger”,during an altercation, the physical abuse, when peeky is attacked by the judge and when Dr. Brockway attacks the protagonist in a fit of rage and lastly the social isolation of internal conflict that both peeky and the unnamed protagonist struggle with are three evidential points in which the protagonists are in fact victims of oppression.