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What do you think is the significance of Stanley's vision of the giant thumb?

User Panidarapu
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Final answer:

The significance of Stanley's vision of a giant thumb in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man could symbolize the overwhelming power and oppression from authoritarian figures or regimes, mirrored in historical campaigns like the Stakhanovite movement.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question refers to a moment from Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, inquiring about the significance of Stanley's vision of the giant thumb. In literature, such imagery often accompanies themes of power and oppression, hinting at the overwhelming force that can press down on an individual or a society.

This vision, particularly if it's topped with a red star, may suggest the weight of Communism or some other authoritarian regime, as something that overshadows and shapes the protagonist's experiences and actions within the narrative.

The question might also be exploring allegorical meanings or allusions to historical campaigns such as the Stakhanovite movement in Soviet Russia, as indicated by the motif of Stalin's upraised hand seen in the work of Gustav Klutsis. This iconography is indicative of dominance and control, which could provide insight into Stanley's internal struggle or the external pressures he faces.

User Supericy
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