All novels are about certain minorities: the individual is a minority. The universal in the novel-and isn't that what we're all clamoring for these days?-is reached only through the depiction of the specific man in a specific circumstance.
Ralph EllisonLife is to be lived, not controlled, and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.
Ralph EllisonYou start Saul, and end up Paul,' my grandfather had often said. 'When you're a youngun, you Saul, but let life whup your head a bit and you starts to trying to be Paul - though you still Sauls around on the side.
Ralph EllisonIt is sometimes advantageous to be unseen, although it is most often rather wearing on the nerves.
Ralph Ellison