How can a common element like food contain such profound meanings? How is it possible to incorporate food-related symbols into a novel that talks about personal identity and invisibility? Ralph Ellison's novel, Invisible Man, manages to not only integrate food symbols into the plot, but also imbues them with meaningful connotations. One obvious symbol represents the narrator's acceptance of his Southern heritage. Another type of food represents the poverty conditions of many African Americans at the time. The drinks complement the meaning of the food by describing others' views towards black people. In this novel, food symbolizes many things, including the narrator's acceptance of his heritage, the poverty of the black community, and the hidden racism of the Brotherhood. The sweet potatoes procured by the narrator symbolize his acceptance of his Southern heritage. For example, when the narrator bites into the yam, he is "overcome by such a wave of nostalgia that [he] turns away to maintain control" (264). Although the narrator pretended to act as if he resented all things Southern, this display of emotion proves otherwise. He unconsciously overlooked the more pleasant aspects of the South because the negative aspects, such as racial prejudice, eclipsed them. Furthermore, the narrator shows recognition of his history when, referring to sweet potatoes, he exclaims, "They are my craving, they are what I am" (266)2E The narrator has finally come to terms with his Southern heritage and openly accept. The narrator's period of contempt for the racist ways of the South is over, thus evolving his personality. Although sweet, succulent potatoes do not appear very often in the novel, their significance is indispensable to the narrator's development. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayCabbage preserves the same implication of poverty throughout the novel. For example, the narrator describes cabbage as "a depressing reminder of the lean years of [his] childhood" (296). The cabbage not only reminds him of his childhood in the South, but also rejuvenates his memories of deprivation. This provides some insight into the narrator's ambiguous past and his current conditions, both of which are filled with poverty. Furthermore, at Clifton's funeral, the "stink of rotting cabbage" portrays the poor state of the black community (460). This area, inhabited mainly by African Americans, is in truly appalling conditions, as evidenced by the fetid stench and the sale of rotten food. The Brotherhood, which encourages equality on all fronts, has obviously made little to no effort to improve these circumstances for Harlem residents. Racism, overt or covert, has produced the poverty of the black community, which the cabbage symbolizes. The drinks, especially the translucent liquids, demonstrate the hidden racism of the Brotherhood. For example, Emma pours "about an inch of clear liquid" to each Brother, which causes the narrator to feel, "The stuff burned, forcing me to lower my head to hide the tears that welled up in my eyes" (310). The lowering of the narrator's head depicts the image of inferiority as people typically lower their heads when in the presence of their superiors. This strong drink exemplifies the hidden racism within the Brotherhood and is meant to serve as a warning to the narrator of things to come. Furthermore, when the narrator is at the committee meeting, he is amazed when he "stared at the glass, seeing how the light filtered through, casting a transparent shadow and there at the bottom of the glass rested.