The Politics of the Poison Pen: Communism, Caricature, and Scapegoats in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man

ABSTRACT:Ralph Ellison's depiction of the Communist Party in Invisible Man has often been criticized as unfair or formulaic. This article, however, argues that Ellison's depiction of the Communist Party can be read productively when considered in light of the novel's use of caricature, violence, and the scapegoat motif. By observing the Invisible Man's role as both victim and perpetrator of violence, the reader becomes aware of the dangerous cycle of scapegoating in the novel.