Ralph Ellison merely used his perspective on the time he was living his life to be relatable for all people anywhere. African American oppression in the 1900's was used as a metaphor in his book for anyone seeking acceptance in the world.

Ralph Waldo Ellison was born in Oklahoma City on March 1st, 1914. He was named after the famous poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson, his parents hoping he would become a poet as well.

Ralph lost his father in a horrible accident when he was only three days old, this left him family in a financial crisis in the rough area of Oklahoma City. His mother encouraged him to read everyday, bringing him books from residences she had cleaned in her job. A black priest in his area succeeded in giving African Americans access to a public library that completely changed Ralph's world.

He enjoyed studying creative subject very much as he flourished in his music classes and others such as photography and sculpting, showing that he is a very well rounded person in all arts.

He then put out his most famous book "Invisible Man", published in 1952 about a story of a young black man who is struggling in New York and feels misplaced and submissive about all the injustice going on around him. This novel awarded Ralph with the national book award in 1953.

Afterwards, Ellison began publishing more of his essays and taught both American and Russian literature at Bard College. He began to focus on another novel of his titled "Juneteenth" that was supposed to be a continuous saga throughout three different books but he passed before he could complete it. He died of pancreatic cancer and after his passing more of his scripts were found in his home such as "Other Stories" and "Flying Home" which were later published.