Monika Edwards & Breeann Ray Blind and Sight Motif Monika Edwards & Breeann Ray

Visions The visions of the Invisible Man and surrounding characters are seen through the eyes, impaired vision, veils, and blindfolds, and other symbols. Vision is an important motif in Invisible Man.

Eyes Many different kinds of eyes are used throughout the novel in describing IM’s experiences. The moon is referred to as “a white man’s bloodshot eye.” ( page 110) People are “always watching you… waiting for a wrong move” page 165)” “studying me with his penetrating eyes; the others… looking out of eyes that were meant to reveal nothing and to stir profound uncertainty” (page 462) IM feels as though he is being watched in everything he does. These eyes symbolize how self-conscious he is about his appearance and actions.

Invisibility “That invisibility to which I refer occurs because of a peculiar disposition of the eyes of those with whom I come into contact. A matter of construction of their inner eyes, those eyes with which they look through their physical eyes upon reality.” (3)

“Time ran fluid, invisible, sad.” (532) “In those pre-invisible days I visualized myself as a potential Booker T. Washington.” (18) “I’d make them see invisibility felt if not seen, and they’d learn that it could be as polluting as a decaying body.” (509) “Time ran fluid, invisible, sad.” (532) “Well, I was and yet I was invisible, that was the fundamental contradiction. I was and yet I was unseen.” (507) Visions of invisibility display the black community’s feelings of unimportance.

Impaired Vision The vision of both IM and those around him is impaired in different ways to symbolize the unawareness of racism toward the black community. “But now I felt a sudden fit of blind terror. I was unused to darkness.” (21) It symbolizes that IM is very naïve of the ways of the world, and unable to see it truly.

Veils and Blindfolds “There was nothing to do but what we were told. All ten of us climbed under the ropes and allowed ourselves to be blindfolded with broad bands of white cloth.” (21) Veils and blindfolds are used to symbolize the characters being partially blinded of the novels truth.

The End