Prepping for Seminar- The Fool Archetype...it's everywhere

In the late 13th century, the fool had many duties; for example, as a form of entertainment, the fools we get paid depending on the amount of satisfaction, laughter, and joy they provided to a crowd. Such definitions fits the start of the Invisible man during “Battle Royale,” when black men are chosen to be put into the ring and fight. At the end, the invisible man wins and wins a scholarship prize. Although it almost seems wrong to take the money, he does so anyways, after all he faced stupidity. The word stupidity is the connotation of the fool. Often times, the fool is interpreted as a “wise,” “cunning,” yet stupid as they were never part of the group (always in isolation away from the norms). Once again, this definitions provides a basis for the invisible man. Note the the invisible man was considered part of the “negro” group through which he was isolate and away from the society in the south. Although, when he reaches the north (Harlem City, New York), he twists his thinking (showing the fictional reality) in order for him to fit, persay. The major fool, who is a hidden character in the novel, is the Invisible man’s grandfather. In fact, the Grandfather serves as the basis of the novel, providing the Invisible man with the drive to move forward. He is not explicitly called  a fool, although, in order for him to proclaim the shameless and disobedient acts he created, he have had this inner non-sane personality within (just as the fool would have). It is interesting to note that the fool never often revealed by a name nor an identity- similar to that of the invisible. They are always hidden from society. Perhaps this need for hiding is driven by the act that they don’t want their stupidity and unrealistic behavior to be attached with a name. Instead they are called by what their duty is. For example, in “Battle Royale,” the man’s duty was to be a slave to the public and live out the white man’s urge or sexual drive, hence he was called and viewed a player or slave. He was a black man, subordinate, more so inferior to that of the town, hence called a negro man. All names that he were called, were nothing but adjectives. The fool is also known to preface the surface, rather than extract a true meaning. They also lack the ability to come out of their “costume” and experience life as they would normally. Sometimes it is beneficial to be a fool in order to succeed, but not to the point of naiveness and where such can hinder the ability to explore the world for new opportunities. Advice is given to the invisible man page 153, “Learn to look neath the surface”. One must “come out of the fog, young man, and remember you don’t have to be a complete fool in order to succeed” He even states that one must “play the game, but don’t believe in it” (153).