Invisible Man Chapter 20 & 21 Reading Questions

Chapter 20

1. The narrator has been away from Harlem for several months. What "emergency" calls him back downtown?

To talk to Brother Maceo

2. What changes have taken place in the movement since he left. (Note how things have changed in the Jolly Dollar Bar.)

Things aren't going well within The Brotherhood, so many people have been put out. The Jolly Dollar Bar is suffering as well. The narrator senses these changes when he calls two familiar men "brothers" and they become offended.

3. What does Ellison mean when he says that returning to Harlem was "like returning to the city of the dead?"

The feel of Harlem has taken a complete change. The narrator no longer feels at home in Harlem. There is little evidence of The Brotherhood's activism and they are all hard to contact.

4. What is Clifton selling?

The Sambo Doll

5. How does the Sambo doll relate to the Sambo bank?

They both symbolize negative stereotypes and ideas towards Blacks. The doll was created as a representation of a Sambo slave, which demonstrates them as entertainers. The exaggerated movements conjure images of black rhythm and sensuality.

6. What do you think the doll symbolizes? Consider the fact that it is a puppet whose strings are pulled.

It symbolizes how Blacks are easily controlled and manipulated by Whites.

7. How does Tod Clifton die? What is the narrator's reaction to his death?

A police officer was trying to fine him for the puppet show. In the process, Clifton ends up punching the officer and in reaction the officer shoots him. The narrator is shocked by his death. He is dumbfounded that Clifton would leave The Brotherhood for this. He comes to the conclusion that Clifton's history will never be written by the White men that killed him.

Chapter 21

1. Why does the narrator feel guilt over Clifton's death?

Because instead of denouncing the significance of the doll, he acted personally and spat on it. He did could've used the moment to educate the people. He had aided to social backwardness by making the crowed laugh even more. Now, he would never get a chance to truly know why Clifton was selling the Sambo Doll. The narrator begins to contemplate how the situation would've been different if he had hit Clifton. They both would've been arrested with no shooting involved. He now believes that his anger sped up his death.

2. Look at the funeral speech. How many times does the narrator use Clifton's name? Why so many?

Twenty-two times. He uses to emphasize Clifton's as an individual rather than a part of a group. Clifton ultimately gave up the Brotherhood, but his life is still worth celebrating.