Symbolic Objects Invisible Man Serana and Christina Nelson Sarah Blake, Erin Miller 2nd Hour
Prologue “The Hole”-The hole acts as like a place where IM can retreat and hide from society. It enhances his invisibility. Jack the Bear- This shows that IM is hidden from people, eventually he will wake up and people will notice him.
Chapter 1 The Brief Case- This is a symbol of the narrator’s hopes and aspirations for his life.
Chapter 2 The White Line- This line acts as a barrier or divider between the two races and further establishes the segregation.
Chapter 3 The Log Cabin- The slaves used to live in them. When Norton and the IM go past them, Norton wants to talk to the people living in them. Hidden Meaning: Makes Norton feel even MORE superior. Norton can also relate with Trueblood.
Chapter 6 The Old Leg Shackle- Bledsoe had a leg shackle in his office. Bledsoe feels that he is leading...
the blacks from slavery and ignorance to freedom and knowledge. He also feels like he has power over his black students.
Chapter 8 Statue of Liberty- The Invisible Man sees this and it gives him new hope, and an optimistic outlook on his future and the great dreams and riches that lie ahead.
Chapter 9 Grits- The grits remind the narrator of his heritage.He didn’t want them.People might think he was a Southern black boy. He was ashamed.
Chapter 9 cont’d Blueprints- Sometimes the people you least suspect are the people that are most knowledgeable.
Chapter drops of black- Without the black race, the culture of white people would be totally different and incomplete. Liberty Paint sign- This is an example of how the white people are trying to ignore the black people and keep the government “pure”.
Chapter 11 Glass coffin- The white people are trying to isolate the black people and change them to fit in with white society.
Chapter 12 White overalls- The doctors think that the narrator is now “pure” and will be different. They believe that he will be a more ideal member of society.
Chapter 13 Yams- They symbolize his home and how badly he misses it.
Chapter 14 Cabbage- It reminds him the times when money was sparse and the only thing they could afford was cabbage. He realizes that Mary doesn’t have a lot of money either.
Chapter 15 Old Piggy Bank and coins- When IM broke the bank he felt bad. It represents old black people and how the world didn't really need them.
Chapter 16 Master the Bulldog- IM is reminded of Master when he is fixing to give the speech. It’s like he was scared of the crowd but he wanted to trust them.
Chapter 17 Bullfight picture- At the bar El Toro IM sees a picture of a bullfight. Some people think that bullfighting is graceful while others like Brother Jack think it is barbaric.
Chapter 18 Brother Tarp wore the chain for 19 years. He gave the chain to IM as a present to remind him of what he was fighting for.
Chapter 19 Mirror- The mirror reminds IM of when mistress slept with their slaves. He is seeing what is coming in the future for him
Chapter 20 Clifton left the brotherhood to sell Sambo dolls that make people happy by dancing. This made IM very mad. He didn’t have respect to at least sell a nice dancing doll.
Chapter 22 Brother Jack lost his eye in the line of duty for the brotherhood. Jack can’t see IM because he is blind.
Chapter 23 IM bought dark green glasses to discuss himself from Ras’s people that were looking for him.
Chapter 25 IM’s briefcase was burned and was ruined. This symbolizes that IM has lost all his hopes and dreams of becoming someone successful.
The End