Invisible Man 1 Essays - Invisible Man, Point Of View, Style

The story begins with the narrator in search of his Identity. He goes to others to find out who he is, but they look at him unable able to give him an answer; so he seeks it himself. He?s search for who he is begins with his grandfather, who obeyed the separate but equal way of life; he was ashamed of his grandfather for taking that approach. His grandfather?s word would be the way he would react around white people; it was the only way to deal with the white people. This behavior that he inherited from his grandfather afforded him many opportunities. For example he offered the opportunity to give a speech to the white echelons. Before he gave his speech he was humiliated along with other black men. When it was done he received a scholarship to the college of Negroes. The story moves to the Narrators college experience. He talks about the surroundings of the college, school structure, and the benefactors. He talks about a specific occasion where he was asked to drive a benefactor, who proceeds to tell him why he helps the black community, because of his daughter?s death. The Narrator takes to him to Trueblood house, a pariah among the black community. Trueblood impregnated his wife and his daughter. When the white men of the town heard this story they wanted to hear over and over again; they treated him better than he was treated before. To forget this ordeal the Narrator brings Mr. Norton to get a drink. On his way to the Golden Day they are stopped by black veterans going to see prostitutes; fearing what might happen to the benefactor the Narrator goes in and order a drink, he is denied. Mr. Norton is dragged in and beaten. A Veteran help the two of them, and proceeds to explain his knowledge of medicine. The Veteran was trained in medicine in t he military, but when he tried to practice he was chased and beaten. After the ordeal, the benefactor is dropped off at campus to receive medical treatment. The Narrator is fearful of losing the one identity he has as a student, because of the events. He tells the doctor who the tell Mr. Norton that he will be reprimanded. Mr. Norton tells the doctor the whole story, and does not but the blame on the Narrator; Dr. Bledsoe wants to talk to him in the chapel. In the chapel he feels guilty for the events that went on and the sermon that Reverend Homer A. Barbee only makes him feel worse. In the next section he is thrown out of college for the events that occurred. Dr. Bledsoe explains that he has no power to change his mind, and offers to aid him in getting a job. Dr. Bledsoe only betrays him by giving recommendations that will hurt him not help him. He goes to Harlem to find a job. On the bus he meets the Veteran, who proceeds to warn him about the Mr. Norton?s of the world. When he reaches his destination he goes to the addresses on the envelope to get a job. On his way there he admires the reaction of the white people around him, but feels they only act that way around black men because it is mechanical. The narrator grows impatient, after not receiving a word from the places he went.