Themes in Invisible Man

Invisibility Paradox Reason for joining Brotherhood Grandfather Powerlessness Freedom Reason for joining Brotherhood Grandfather “…overcome ‘em with yeses, undermine ‘em with grins…”

Blindness Speeches center on regaining sight Homer A. Barbee Preaches obedience Actually blind Brother Jack One fake-eye Blindness leads to Invisibility

Changing Identity and Disguises Rinehart “Rine the runner and Rine the gambler and Rine the briber and Rine the lover and Rinehart the Reverend.” Bledsoe The Narrator

Imprisonment Brother Tarp’s Leg Chain Hospital Machine “When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.” Trapped by the Brotherhood “Keep This Nigger-Boy Running.”

Stereotyping and the loss of Identity Ideas of how blacks should behave Dr. Bledsoe Brother Jack Sybil and the unnamed married woman Fighting Stereotypes with Stereotypes Ras the Exhorter The narrator’s treatment of women

Responsibility v. Ambitions The narrator’s feelings of responsibility for the “fate of his race” Obedience to the Brotherhood Personal advancement using the Brotherhood Goals of becoming a public speaker