Invisible Man Chapter 18 & 19 Reading Questions

Chapter 18

1. Consider the symbolism of the link of chain Tarp gives the narrator. In what ways does it link the narrator to tarp? To his past? Is it significant that Wrestrum rejects that link?

The link of chain is a symbol for the continuous battle against injustice. By giving it to the narrator, Tarp is giving him the responsibility of carrying out the fight against oppression.  It also links the narrator to his Southern culture. It is significant that Wrestrum rejects the link because it demonstrates that he does not acknowledge the pass and would rather forget about it. The link makes Wrestrum feel really uncomfortable and perceives it as a threat to The Brotherhood.

2. What seems to cause the fight between Wrestrum and the narrator? What do you think is the REAL reason for his fight?

Wrestrum believes that the narrator has become to powerful and that he is putting his self interest before the overall well being of the Brotherhood. I think the real reason is that he is just jealous and upset that the narrator forgot to mention his idea of creating an emblem to represent the Brotherhood.

3. At the end of the chapter, the narrator is sent out of Harlem. Why would The Brotherhood remove a successful member of the party and send him off to lecture on a subject about which he knows so little either by training or personal experience?

It is a form of limiting the narrator's power by having him focus on something he knows little about.

Chapter 19

1. In what ways is Ellison playing with the idea that white women are drawn to Black me?

He makes the meeting with the woman more like a date rather than a meeting to discuss ideology. The women invites him into her home and then offers the narrator wine and changes into something more comfortable. The diction used by the narrator implies this idea as well.

Ex: The woman describes the narrator's voice as "primitive." This shows that part of her interest in him is the fact that he's Black.

2. What reaction does the woman give when her husband comes home?

She doesn't seem to mind or really care at all.

3. What is the narrator's action?

The narrator curses himself for putting himself in that situation and decides to grab his clothes and leave. He later contemplates the idea that it might of all been a set up, but nothing ever happens.

4. Do you think this chapter is humorous, or is it serious social commentary?

I think this chapter had a little bit of both. It was humorous in the fact that a Black man was sent to speak about social equality when he doesn't even have it himself. There's a bit of social commentary in the situation with the woman. The husband didn't even react like someone normally would. He doesn't perceive the narrator as a threat and maybe not even as a human, well not to the level that they are at.