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.