Chapters 7,8,& 9

Chapter 7

Power:

pg. 159 “Then at the street intersection I had the shock of seeing a black policeman directing traffic - and there were white drivers in the traffic who obeyed his signals as though it was the most natural thing in the world.”

This quote is from IM’s narrative from right after he arrives in Harlem; it represents the complete opposite of what the power structure has been in the book up to this point: the black man has power over the white drivers, and they respect that power and adhere to it. This surprises IM so much because of how different the environment that he’s used to, in the South, is. It seems surreal to him, like a dream, that black individuals could ever have this power over white individuals.

Oratory:

pg.154 “You might even beat the game.”

The main section of oratory in Chapter 7 occurs when the vet from the Golden Day is talking to IM on the train. The vet is excited to learn that IM is going to New York to find work and seems sure that, with the right behavior, IM will be able to find success. He tells him to “play the game” (pg. 153), as the white men think that they have already “taken care of” (pg. 154) any intelligence black individuals may have.

Chapter 8

Power:

pg. 163 “... it would not be honorable or safe to tamper with Dr. Bledsoe.”

This quote is from the very beginning of Chapter 8 when IM is toying with the idea of trying to open the letters to read what they say. He eventually decides not to, and his reasoning is given in the quote above. This is significant because it shows that, even when Bledsoe is nowhere near him, he fears him and his authority. Despite the way that Bledsoe talked to him, he views him as his superior and is scared of doing something to upset him.

No oratory in Chapter 8.

Chapter 9:

Power:

pg 194 “Everyone seemed to have some plan for me, and beneath that some more secret plan.”

This quote comes from IM after he read the letter of “recommendation” from Dr. Bledsoe to Mr. Emerson. The Invisible Man could not believe the contents of the letter; he felt betrayed by Bledsoe and was now questioning the true intentions of young Emerson, the secretary. That being said, it rather shows the lack of power experienced by Invisible Man, as he is not the one with the power to dictate his future.

Oratory:

pg 188 “I know the conditions under which you live-Why go back, fellow? There is so much you could do here where there is more freedom.”

This is spoken by Mr. Emerson, the secretary. Multiple times prior to saying this, Mr. Emerson has told IM that he wants to help him, but, remembering his grandfather’s words, IM questions his sincerity and true intentions. However, as the reader, we are led to believe that these words are truly an act of kindness. Mr. Emerson knows the truth written in the letters before he speaks this, and it seems he is talking up the idea of a future in the north because he knows he IM is never to return back down south to the college.