Characterisation in Invisible Man Flashcards
Who are the two central characters representing race and power dynamics in the South in Invisible Man?
Trueblood and Mr. Norton.
What is Trueblood’s shocking confession, and how does it affect his relationship with the white community?
He confesses to incest, and his revelation is both reviled and rewarded by the white community.
How does Trueblood’s characterization challenge the protagonist in the novel?
It forces the protagonist to confront societal hypocrisy and racial stereotypes.
What tendencies does Mr. Norton reveal in his fascination with Trueblood’s story?
Paternalistic and voyeuristic tendencies, highlighting the dehumanizing effects of white saviorism.
How do Trueblood and Mr. Norton contribute to the protagonist’s internal conflict?
They highlight the struggle to reconcile the expectations of white patrons with the protagonist’s aspirations for dignity and autonomy.
What cryptic advice does the grandfather give to the protagonist?
To “undermine” white authority while outwardly conforming, which he calls “a meekness that is a dangerous activity.”
How does the grandfather’s advice shape the protagonist’s development?
It forces him to grapple with whether to subvert authority or assimilate, creating internal conflict between resistance and survival.
What role does the concept of invisibility play in the protagonist’s interactions with authority?
The protagonist is caught between being visible and invisible in a racially stratified society, as influenced by his grandfather’s words.
What does blindness symbolize in Invisible Man?
Willful ignorance and lack of insight that perpetuate racial and social injustices.
Which character, despite being blind, idolizes the Founder and represents the theme of blindness?
Reverend Barbee.
How does blindness affect the Brotherhood in the novel?
Their ideological rigidity blinds them to the individuality of those they claim to help.
How does blindness relate to the protagonist’s journey in the novel?
It reflects his initial inability to see the truth about himself and the world, and his eventual awareness of figurative blindness in others.
Who does the Founder in the novel represent, and what is his philosophy?
The Founder represents Booker T. Washington and advocates for economic self-reliance and vocational education.
What critique does the Founder’s near-mythical status represent in the novel?
It highlights the dangers of uncritical hero worship and the erasure of complexity in historical narratives.
How does the character of Peetie Wheatstraw contribute to the novel’s exploration of myth and reality?
He challenges the protagonist to navigate the tension between inherited cultural myths and personal truth, reflecting the novel’s critique of rigid ideologies.
