When people are ashamed of their heritage, they attempt to leave it behind in order to change the way people perceive them. Some people let years go by trying to hide their story instead of understanding that their story is a part of their life and will never go away. Despite the multiple attempts and methods they use to hide their history, the past will never disappear. In the novel Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, the main character is simply called the narrator. He is not ashamed of being African American, but he is ashamed of the history and negative stereotypes that society gives them, and likewise, he tries his best to get rid of them using his briefcase. The narrator does not know that the objects he places in his briefcase symbolize not only his story, but also his identity. Although the narrator uses his briefcase to hide the contents that represent his history and identity throughout the novel, he eventually realizes the true purpose of his collected possessions. The briefcase is the narrator's most valuable possession because it gives him the feeling of being seen. in a better light with him than without him. The narrator receives the briefcase early in the novel when he witnesses what is initially supposed to be him giving his graduation speech to the most prominent white people in his community as recognition of his academic achievement. Instead, he participates in the Battle Royal with several of his classmates. After being beaten, electrocuted, and humiliated by the white men who organized the event, the narrator wins the royal prize and receives a calfskin briefcase from the superintendent as his prize. The superintendent tells the narrator, "...one day it will be...... middle of paper... the piggy bank, or the link in the chain because these things are part of the narrator's legacy." Although they are hurtful, the stereotypes associated with these elements are unavoidable. Knowing this, the narrator finally accepts his story, which gives him the possibility of finding himself without trying to hide what is part of him. Once the narrator has burned the identities society gives him, the briefcase allows him to accept his story and his true identity. Works Cited Callahan, Invisible Man: A Casebook by John F. Ralph Ellison. New York: Oxford UP, 2004. 134-300. Print.Early, Gerald Lyn. Ralph Ellison: The Invisible Man. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2009. Print. Ellison, Ralph. The invisible man. New York: Vintage International, 1995. Print. Nadel, Alan. Invisible Review: Ralph Ellison and the American Canon. Iowa City: University of Iowa, 1988. 130-45. Print.