At the end of the book, the character looks back over his life and points out his greatest "mistake." He says, "My problem was that I always tried to go in everyone's way but my own." In other words, he did things he didn't believe in or he pretended to be a certain way because he thought that would be more acceptable. He suppressed his real self.
Why did he do this? He thought that it would lead to love, affection and acceptance. He said he was never more hated than when he tried to be honest (i.e., to be himself).
I read this book when I was an undergrad in New York. I'd just decided to major in literature and I was interested in studying post-colonial and minority literature because, being Japanese, I was a minority in the States myself.
I wasn't discriminated against, and I know it may seem trite to compare my experiences with the boy's experiences in "Invisible Man." But certainly when you're in a country where you don't speak the language, where you can't express yourself as you want, you gradually begin to feel like you're disappearing. Your sense of self starts to erode.
These words from the book lingered long in my mind. I empathized. But now, every time I think about this quote, I am so glad I continued studying English. Language can be a great gift. In learning a language you learn to question your identity, your values, your way of thinking, and although initially it may seem overwhelming, eventually, I think, you become not invisible but more visible to yourself. Language allows you to become more honest and more yourself.
Q1 What was the "mistake" that the main character in the novel "Invisible Man" made?
A1) He hid his real self.
A2) He spread lies.
A3) He pretended to be famous.
正解： A1) He hid his real self.
Q2 Kana says that learning English enabled her to:
A1) Help people in need.
A2) Be more honest.
A3) Get better grades in class.
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