Chapter 19 POWER
-Jordan L
Throughout Chapter 19 the theme of power is frequently revealed in several different forms. The Brotherhood is a taut alliance, and the power of the group grasps certain characters in this chapter. The mistress IM meets, portrays the Brotherhood as “so vital and alive that one gets the feeling that one should at least make the try”(412). The Brotherhood uses a scientific approach in attacking racial and social justice, and IM’s tactic of engaging the audience makes his speeches more powerful in the eyes of the people. The Mistress becomes attached to IM and eventually seduces him, however, he consents and enjoys the sexual relation. In the eyes of the mistress and most of the audience IM’s social and speech skills are prominent,” forceful, powerful. It takes hold of ones emotions as well as one’s intellect”(413). IM’s performance in front of people strikes peoples emotion, however, IM claims the scientific approach guides the effectiveness. The scientific and emotional approach culminates to be more powerful in the Crews goal of gaining representation and strength in support of their ideals.
In Chapter 19, Power is also seen in a biological and desirable attraction. The physical attraction IM attains for the mistress overpowers his gut, “feeling her swirl against me and I was lost, for the conflict between ideological and the biological, duty and desire, had become to subtly confused”(416). IM becomes more attached to the mistress and his ambition overpowers what is right. Power is not always strength and intellect; the power of attraction is portrayed when IM and the mistress sexualize.
Finally, in the end of the chapter Ras the Exhorter begins to strengthen his racist columbine after Brotherhood member Tod Clifton disappears. The Brotherhood loses power in Harlem and its opponent Ras becomes more prominent, IM is assigned a new position in Harlem in order to secure the Brotherhood and its supporters.
Chapter 20 and 22
-Jordan L
In Chapter twenty, The Brotherhood’s decline and struggle in Harlem is clearly illustrated. The former members in the bar represent the Brotherhood’s failure in Harlem, The familiar men in the bar were in awe when IM calls them brother, “Shit, he goddam sho aint no kin of mine”(424). The men have disbanded the party and see him as a traitor to the black community.
In the scene with the Sambo Dolls and Tod Clifton a deep meaning connected to power is revealed. The Sambo Dolls portray a negative stereotype to the black community and has have been a name defying Africans throughout history. This Doll also exemplifies the power of stereotypes to control ones actions and the power of racism. The Power struggle for African’s in the white society is clearly represented in Clifton’s death. The white officers catch him, and as he hits one officer he is shot and killed. For this scenario the punishment seems severe, knowing Clifton does not have a weapon and the officers have numbers on him.
In Chapter 22 IM realizes he has lost his individuality in the Brotherhood. He feels, as he is a subject to the Brotherhoods rules and ideals. The Brotherhood has hired him to say only as the brotherhood would like him to say; “A napoleon of strategy and personal responsibility.’ Strike while the iron is hot’ is his motto. Seize the instance by its throat”(464). This illustrates the obedience IM must have for the Brotherhood without his own opinion or arguments. Lastly, when Brother Jack’s eye falls out, this scene symbolizes the big picture of the parties’ blindness and loss of power/ control not just to the Invisible Man but also to Brother Jack.
Chapter 23
-Jordan L
Beginning Chapter 23 IM is threatened by Ras’ men and disguises him self. The people recognize him as a powerful and popular man named Rinehart. In this Chapter The Brotherhood begins to lose all power in the Harlem district in the eyes of IM. IM tells a woman to leave him alone because she is in danger around him. The collapse and power struggle of the Brotherhood in Harlem is illustrated throughout this chapter; Ras is now known as “Ras the destroyer,” he is the prominent figure in Harlem (485). Invisible Man makes his way to Hambro’s house and hears the news of the Brotherhoods new goals in Harlem, “ It’s unfortunate Brother, but your members will have to be sacrificed”(501). Brother Hambro’s conversation with Invisible Man predates back to the conference that IM was not invited to in chapter twenty, the Brotherhood left IM out because they used him, for their own ideals, rather than their own. The Brotherhood has exploited IM and other members like Clifton to achieve their priorities over the will of the people. IM finds himself in a power struggle, for the Brotherhood used him for there own ends meat. Moreover, IM feels as though he has betrayed his black kin and betrayed his community for attempting to destroy a black community in Harlem. The groups of brothers in Harlem were sacrificed to the greater of the Klan, ”We are making temporary alliances with other political groups and the interests of one group of brothers must be sacrificed to that of the whole” (501-502). The Brotherhood manipulated and betrayed IM, rather than dwelling on the situation he strikes back at the end of the book. At the end of the novel, IM finds out who he really is and how he sees himself is what counts, that his Character resonates more so than reputation.