Author Ralph Ellison examines the concept of blindness and clear vision in "Invisible Man" as it relates to race. The characters can be divided into two categories: blind or sighted. The category and characters expand from their predetermined category and positively influence the narrator's growth. Ellison recognizes characters in "Invisible Man" who intentionally (or unintentionally) refuse to acknowledge the African American community regarding social inequalities and racial progress. According to the two character categories, race does not affect the character's blindness. Characters who fall under the blind spectrum are Dr. Bledsoe, Mr. Norton, the narrator's grandfather, Jim Trueblood, Reverend Barbee, young Mr. Emerson, Lucius Brockway, Brother Jack, Emma, ​​and Brother Westrum. The characters listed above are blind because their actions are driven by self-interest and power... I control [the college]. I'm big and black and I say "Yeah, suh" as loudly as any idiot when it suits them, but down here I'm still king. I don't care how much the opposite seems to be the case. Power must not show off. Power is confident, self-assured, starts and stops itself, warms up and justifies itself. When you have it, you know it. Let the niggas giggle and the crackers laugh! These are the facts, son. The only ones I pretend to please are the great whites, and those I control more than they control me. This is a power system, son, and I'm at the controls (Ellison 142). Bledsoe confirms that he is a man wearing a mask. He covers up his true intentions by appearing as a humble man serving the wealthy white founders. Bledsoe is lighting the...... center of the card......ty. The narrator during this scene begins to form a voice and begins to understand the importance of the veterans' message. The insightful characters allow the narrator to embrace his African American heritage and accept his identity. Through the help of characters such as Mary, Peter Wheatstraw, the sweet potato salesman, Ras the Exhorter, and brother Tod Clifton, the narrator accepts and embraces his African-American heritage. The categories formed by Ralph Ellison make the reader wonder which category the narrator will belong to. . As the story evolves, the reader can begin to accurately interpret the narrator's development. The two categories help the reader understand the effects that invisibility and clear vision have on the narrator's growth. Works Cited Ellison, Ralph. The invisible man. New York: Vintage International, 1995. Print.