Assimilation is conforming to a group. Conforming isn't necessarily a bad thing, it is actually something we all do depending on our surroundings. For example, when I'm In school verses hanging out with my friends. There's a different level of comfort ability. Not only that but there's a level of respect that should be met when you're in the presence of a teacher.  Anyway, when conforming becomes who you and everyone thinks you are but it isn't truly, is when it is a terrible thing to do. You begin to lose yourself and forget your own morals. In Invisible Man it is difficult to recognize when the protagonist is living for himself or conforming to what society wants him to be. Because throughout the novel he considers himself invisible it can be said that he is conforming to society's views about African Americans. If during a time of racism they were treated as less than then the protagonist made sure he, himself was and felt less than as well. Instead of believing in his worth and acknowledging that he truly does exist, he decided not to. He chose to conform, to become less than, to lose himself and to allow society determine his outcome in life. Because he believed that society had already planned out his future, that he was born to fail, then he eventually did. He gave in to everything he believed society wanted him to. Deep down he knew becoming a part of the brotherhood wasn't a good idea. When Jack asked him to change his name and disown his loved ones he doubted Jack's intensions but still obeyed him. Why ? Was it because deep inside he knew that it was a bad idea, that it was society trying to bring him down ? Maybe, but he isolated his feelings and conformed to what he was told to do, even when self doubt was so visible. This is an example of assimilation and how it can become negative. On the other hand he uses assimilation to his benefit many times without having to risk his beliefs or himself. For example, when Mary takes him in he sees it as an act of kindness, which it is. He doesn't doubt her character or believe she is out to get him. If anything he begins to feel this way when the brotherhood enter his life and make it seem as though no one but they are his true "family". With Mary the protagonist didn't have to lie about who he was before he meant the brotherhood. These are two examples in Invisible Man on how the protagonist conformed in a positive and a negative way and how conforming in a negative way can do enough damage to allow one to lose his self.