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Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man is a powerful exploration of the African-American experience in 20th-century America, centered on the theme of identity and the quest for personal and collective freedom. The novel traces the journey of an unnamed African-American narrator who seeks to understand his place in a racially segregated society. Throughout the novel, the concept of freedom is portrayed as elusive, complex, and multifaceted--encompassing political, social, psychological, and existential dimensions. Ellison's protagonist confronts various ideologies and institutions that promise liberation--such as the college that promotes accommodationism, the Brotherhood that claims to fight for equality, and even the violent radicalism embodied by Ras the Exhorter. However, each system attempts to define the narrator's identity for him, restricting his individuality and silencing his voice. The paradox of freedom is exposed: systems that claim to offer liberty often impose control under the guise of order and progress. The narrator's invisibility symbolizes this repression, as society refuses to see him as a unique human being, reducing him to a stereotype or function. The novel critiques both white and Black power structures that seek to manipulate the individual. Through a series of disillusionments, the narrator gradually realizes that true freedom cannot be found in conforming to prescribed roles, ideologies, or identities. It is only when he retreats from society--into the metaphorical "underground"--that he begins to understand the need to define himself on his own terms. Invisibility becomes both a curse and a source of power; by embracing his invisibility, he begins to see beyond the illusions and false promises of freedom offered by others. Ellison presents freedom as a personal journey rooted in self-awareness and the courage to live authentically in a world that denies recognition. The novel ultimately suggests that freedom is not merely external--based on laws or rights--but internal, grounded in individual consciousness, moral responsibility, and creative expression. Ellison's use of jazz-like improvisation, symbolism, and surrealism further emphasizes the existential and cultural dimensions of freedom in the African-American tradition. This study explores how Invisible Man redefines freedom not as an absolute state, but as an ongoing process of self-discovery, resistance and resilience. By highlighting the narrator's movement from naive belief to critical awareness, the novel calls for a deeper understanding of freedom--one that transcends binaries and embraces complexity. Ellison's work remains a profound meditation on the struggles of the marginalized to claim their voice and shape their destiny in a world that renders them invisible.