Member-only story
Still Standing, Still Singing
A Story Inspired by Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man
Reader Note: Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man is ranked 19th on the Top 100 novels list. The novel follows an unnamed Black protagonist as he navigates a world that refuses to truly see him, forcing him into a journey of self-discovery and survival. Set against the backdrop of mid-20th-century America, it exposes the ways in which marginalized individuals are rendered invisible — both literally and metaphorically — by the very systems that claim to define them.
This story, inspired by Invisible Man, offers a glimpse into the life of Mary, a minor but significant character from the novel, and reimagines her resilience and quiet strength in the face of struggle. Because, of course, there are invisible women, too. I used ChatGPT and Grammarly for workshopping, editing, and photos.
The onions and garlic sizzled in the pan, filling the small Harlem apartment. Mary stirred, thinking about the name she’d given him.
Eli.
Something solid. Something steady. Funny, for someone so untethered.
She moved through the kitchen, sweeping crumbs from the counter, the scent of the frying vegetables curling into the cracks of the drafty windowpanes.
