Oppression is the unjust and degrading treatment endured by a certain group of people. Oppression is a topic featured heavily in both novels, The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay and Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. Both protagonists are considered inferior to society and undergo many degrading experiences in which they are verbally and physically abused and isolated from society. In The Power of One, PK is a white African boy raised by his grandfather and nanny on a farm in South Africa. Soon after, PK is sent to an Afrikaans boarding school where he is mistreated by the other boys at the school and isolated from society simply because he is the only English-speaking student. Similarly, in Invisible Man, which takes place in New York, the unnamed protagonist is a black man who considers himself "invisible" because he is always ignored in society. He receives a college scholarship and during his time there he quickly realizes that he is inferior to the white supremacist society and becomes a victim of abuse. In both stories, The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay and Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, Peeky and the unnamed protagonist are oppressed by numerous characters throughout the novel who seek to degrade them, obviously causing emotional trauma to the protagonists. Verbal violence, physical violence as well as social isolation are three elements of evidence in which the protagonists are in fact victims of oppression. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay To begin with, Peeky in The Power of One and the anonymous man in Invisible Man are the two protagonists who are verbally abused, this which leads both men to be victims of oppression. They experience many humiliating instances such as verbal abuse, physical abuse, and social isolation throughout the plot, which subjects them to oppression. In The Power Of One by Bryce Courtenay, Peeky is on trial and must prostrate himself before the judge and his war council, and the men continue to spray the young boy with urine. The judge then pulls down the boy's pants and exposes his genitals for the entire court to witness. The judge then points to the boys' genitals and laughs. He taunts Peeky at the courthouse. The judge asks Peeky: “You hear, you idiot, who cut off your snake's hat, pisskop? (Courtenay, 7). This quote is where the judge notices Peeky's circumcised penis and criticizes him for it. The young boy is judged for this because in Africa it is traditional for men to have an uncircumcised penis. Therefore, Peeky is considered inferior to society and is insulted because of his circumcised penis. This makes Peeky undesirable in society and emotionally absent from life, proving to be a victim of oppression. Similarly, in Invisible Man, the unnamed protagonist is the victim of numerous characters throughout the plot who seek to degrade him. Throughout the novel, it is stated that the unnamed protagonist works as an artist for rich white men. The protagonist dances and wrestles with his black colleagues for money. The white men bid on each wrestler and the black men fight to the death. During an altercation between white men and black men, one of the white men said, “I want to go after that red-headed nigger.” Tear him limb from limb” (Ellison 21). This phrase is extremely offensive, the term "nigger" is a derogatory term used against dark-skinned individuals of any race who are systematically subjected to discrimination and unfair treatment. This type of violenceverbal causes emotional trauma in the protagonist, as the word "nigger" is a trigger word that white people called black slaves in the 20th century in an attempt to gain control and power over them. This word can cause trauma because it can bring back pain and difficulties associated with the past. This proves that the anonymous protagonist is a victim of oppression through the verbal abuse he endures. Then, Peeky in The Power of One and the Nameless Man in Invisible Man are the two protagonists who are physically abused, resulting in both men being victims of oppression. In Bryce Courtenay's The Power of One, the protagonist Peeky is attacked after begging the judge not to kill Granpa Chook, who is a chicken with whom Peeky had developed a close bond. Peeky said, “He pushed down hard with his foot, sending me sprawling. Then he let out a howl, a mixture of anger and anguish…he started kicking me blindly. (Courtenay 52). Peeky is constantly being tossed around for the other characters to use as a punching bag. This type of constant and cruel treatment towards Peeky makes him feel worthless. Similarly, in Ralph Ellisons, Invisible Man, the unnamed protagonist is attacked by Dr. Brockway. Lucius Brockway is a black man employed at the Liberty Paint Factory, a company run by white men. Lucius is afraid of being replaced and losing his job. Brockway's insecurities in his job caused him to attack the protagonist out of anger. Abruptly, “he slid under me, making angry sounds and hitting my face as he tried to use the bar. I ripped it from his grasp, feeling a sharp pain pierce my shoulder. He uses a knife, it crossed my mind and I cut with my elbow...he struck again as he tried to choke me. (Ellison 226). In this part of the plot, Brockway attacks the protagonist with a knife and threatens to kill him. Brockway uses his power to confront the protagonist because of his own difficulties. This proves that because the protagonist is seen as inferior to society, he can be used as a punching bag for the powerful and powerful people in society. This is a clear example of the physical abuse that the protagonist of The Invisible Man endures and is therefore a victim of oppression. In Yonka Krastevas' literary review "Chaos and pattern in Ellison's Invisible Man", she explains white society and how it inflicts violence on minorities to turn against each other. She says: “It brings to the forefront white society's practices of channeling the anger and frustration of Negroes against each other, inflicting violence and self-destruction on them. » (Krastevas 4). Then, Peeky in The Power of One and the Nameless Man in Invisible Man are the two protagonists who fall into a pool of social isolation that results in both men becoming victims of oppression. In The Power of One by Bryce Courtaney, the protagonist, Peeky, is asked by the judge to eat human feces in front of all the other boys. The judge does this to embarrass Peeky because he is different. Later, after being tortured and tormented by the judge, Peeky explains: “Deep inside me, loneliness laid a big stone egg. » (Courtenay 53). This quote explains the feeling of loneliness. He feels isolated from the world because of the inhumane treatment he received, simply because he is different. This quote proves Peeky's mental struggle with feelings of social isolation and this makes him a victim of oppression. Similarly, in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, the protagonist begins the plot by explaining his internal conflicts with his invisibility and his.