In the novels Invisible Man and Siddhartha, the protagonists find it necessary to completely isolate themselves from the influences of society in order to reach a stage of serene understanding, or “enlightenment.” Siddhartha and the Invisible Man initially seek understanding by following accepted methods. However, both end up becoming disillusioned with society's techniques and choose to follow the outcasts of their respective civilizations. Despite the changes in their habits, the two protagonists ultimately come to the conclusion that one must chart one's own path to achieve divine understanding. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Siddhartha, son of the Brahman, was the prodigy of his family and was well-liked within his community. He was active in religious sacrifices and other sacred practices and was considered a future prince among the Brahmins. "He practiced... the art of contemplation, the duty of total concentration" (1). Despite all this, Siddhartha could not find satisfaction through the means of society: “Siddhartha had begun to harbor dissatisfaction within himself. He had begun to feel that his father's love, his mother's love, as well as his friend Govinda's love, would not always be and for at any time make him happy, content him, satiate him him, suffice for him” (2). The overall situation was quite comparable to that of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. The Invisible Man was also seen as having the potential to become something extraordinary. This was recognized even by whites, although expressed in a sarcastic and condescending tone: "Gentlemen, you see that I have not overrated this boy. He makes a good speech and one day he will lead his people in the right paths." (Ellison 32). The two protagonists, despite their brilliant potential, end up fleeing accepted norms and take their first steps towards separatist organizations. For Siddhartha, this means becoming one of the samanas, homeless beggars who sacrifice all their material possessions in the quest for enlightenment. The Invisible Man rebels by joining an organization known as the Brotherhood. These changes, however, ultimately leave both men unsatisfied, and they still have a long way to go before they can reach their ultimate enlightenment. Enlistment in these separatist groups was a setback for the respective protagonists, despite the progress they had initially planned to make. The Invisible Man first sees the Brotherhood as an excellent opportunity to progress not only himself, but also the black race as a whole. This desire to make a difference is what truly gives him the ability to stand out among the other Brothers and which has earned him recognition as a great orator. “Let’s put it this way,” croons a Brotherhood recruiter, “How would you like to be the new Booker T. Washington?” (305) Siddhartha was similarly acclaimed among the samanas, although his final dissatisfaction was quicker and more pronounced: Siddhartha learned many things from the samanas; he learned to stray from many paths on his own. He took the path of self-liberation through pain, through voluntary suffering and the conquest of pain, hunger, thirst, fatigue. He took the path of self-liberation through meditation, consciously emptying his mind of all ideas. He learned to take these paths and others; A thousand times he left himself behind, for hours and days he remained in a state of non-self. But even if,.