Chapters 8-15 Synthesis Post

Chapters 8 through 15 do a great job of showing how sex is used not only to de-power the invisible man, but to de-power those whom white society sees as depraved or savage. This is seen in Chapter Nine, when the younger Emerson, a gay man, briefly unites with the IM in order to free him, briefly, from the influence of white society, which at this moment is represented by Dr. Bledsoe. Shortly after, the younger Emerson says "You have been freed, don't you understand? I've still my battle" (pg.192). When he talks about his "battle", he's referencing his fight against the white power structure, which uses his sexuality against him, in the same way it is used against the IM. It also shows that one of the most important freedoms in life is sexual freedom, in this case represented by Emerson having to keep his homosexuality secret, but also by the IM's inability to date who he wants, regardless of their race.

The idea that sex is one of the most important freedoms in life, and is therefore being used against the disadvantaged minorities by the white power structure is seen again in Chapter 11, when one of the surgeons literally says "why not castration, doctor?" (pg.236). The importance of the moment is not that the surgeon believes that castration will cure the IM, as there is no reasoning offered behind the quote. The offer to castrate him is given shortly after one of the doctors explains that the IM's problem is in his brain. When the surgeon offers to castrate him, it's in order to fix his desire for sex, which the white power structure sees as an illness when applied to black people.

Finally, the white power structure capitalizes on the IM's desire for sexual freedom through his intense attraction to Emma, one of the white women of the Brotherhood. Emma is used as a very pretty lure to the IM, promising that if he stays with the Brotherhood, he will be cultured and powerful enough to bypass the white power structure and "dance" with white women when he pleases. However, this is refuted in the same chapter, when it is shown that Emma is one of the more racist members of the Brotherhood, when she says "But don't you think he should be a little blacker?" (pg.303). At the end of the night, the IM dances with Emma, and it seems to be a symbol of the increased social power offered by membership in the Brotherhood. However, throughout the dance, Emma does not see him as an equal, but merely a tool. 

Power and Sex in Chapter Fifteen

There is no power shown in Chapter Fifteen.

There is no sex displayed in Chapter Fifteen

Sex and Power in Chapter 13

Sex and Power in Chapter 13

Power shows itself in several places, not least of which on page 288 with Brother Jack. The Invisible Man makes a very inspiring and impressive speech earlier in the chapter, and later a man approaches him and says, "'Then say that I'm an admirer.'" "'Admirer of what?'" asks the Invisible Man. "'Of your speech,'" he said. 'I was listening.'" For the Invisible Man, getting a white man to listen to and notice him is power. However, it later shows itself to be only a surface thing, a facade, an illusion of power for the Invisible Man as he discovers what Brother Jack is really all about.

Sex shows itself only briefly. On page 287: "'Hurry, Doctor,' a man called from the stoop, 'she's in labor.'" The appearance of a birth continues the symbolism of birth as representative of new beginnings for the Invisible Man as they have been appearing in the past few chapters.

Sex and Power in Chapter 9

Sex and Power in Chapter 9 

Power shows itself several times throughout chapter 9, but one point of interest is on page 191, in Dr. Bledsoe's letter to the elder Emerson, "The bearer of this letter is a former student of ours (I say former because he shall never, under any circumstances, be enrolled as a student here again) who has been expelled for a most serious defection from our strictest rules of deportment." The Invisible Man is now hundreds of miles away from Bledsoe, and Bledsoe still exerts considerable power over his life.

Sex in this chapter is easy to find, but only if one thinks to read between the lines. The character of the younger Emerson is gay, and is flirting with the Invisible Man throughout the chapter, "Oh, damn! What I mean is, do you believe it possible for us, the two of us, to throw off the mask of custom and manners that insulate man from man, and converse in naked honesty and frankness?" This is clearly an attempt by Emerson to make a pass at the Invisible Man, but the narrator remains oblivious, saying, "I don't know what you mean exactly, sir."

Sex and Power in Chapter 12

Sex and Power in Chapter 12

The motif of power appears in chapter 12 not with people or situations but with language. On page 251 the Invisible Man says to Mary Rambo, I'm all right, just weak. In the last chapter he was stripped of his power in the hospital through the removal of his memory, and now he is weak.

The motif of sex does not appear in chapter 12.

Power and Sex in Chapter Ten



Power:
The IM encounters several power structures within Liberty Paints, one of which is with Kimbro, a hulking, white boss whom employees refer to as a "slave driver" (199). His power over the IM is shown when he initially fires him from Liberty Paints, for failing to understand his orders. This is seen in the quotation "what did he do? He doesn't satisfy me, that's what. I don't like his work...". It's telling that in the world of Liberty Paints, one mistake is all it takes to get canned.

Sex:
The only link to sex I can possibly find is the IM's mention of The Golden Day on pg. 201 "The Golden Day had once been painted white; now it's paint was flaking away with the years, the scratch of a finger being enough to send it showering down." If I find a better one in class today I will update the blog.