When Accents Collide

The Invisible man is turning out to be a fine novel. The syntax, as well as the literary devices, employed by Ellison, work marvelously to connect the structure and content of the novel. For example, Ellison writes in an African-American accent while describing a speech the narrator recalls. "It do Lawd…an' it don't…hallelujah" (Ellison, 10) I've rarely seen this using of syntax. I find it really original, helpful and interesting how the author shifts his writing voice depending on the character he is writing about. For example, intend of writing "Isn't it the truth, lord?", Ellison writes, "ain't it the truth, Lawd?" This what the preacher is saying and, to us who are not accustomed to that way of speaking, it catches our attention immediately.