Chapter 23

KD (Kathryn Denise) Zuk

The Scene

The chapter begins at the bar where a group of people near Invisible Man are talking about the death of Clifton. The group tries to bring Invisible Man into the discussion but fails.
Invisible Man leaves and encounters a group of Civil Liberties Workers who ask him to sign a petition to dismiss the sentence of the guilty policeman.
He continues and encounters a familiar woman street preacher shouting a sermon about the slaughter of innocents.
Invisible Man heads toward Hambro's and passes several crowds. Ras the Exorter (aka Ras the Destroyer) sees him walking by and asks him what he plans on doing about the incident. Ras and his crowd preach about the brotherhood. Invisible Man tries to leave, but two of Ras's men follow him.
The three end up in front of a movie theater, and while the two are trying to beat Invisible Man, the doorman breaks it up.
He continues and attempts to wave down cabs, but none stops. In front of a crosswalk, three men in suits and sunglasses stand by him.
Invisible Man goes to buy dark green sunglasses although it is fast approaching dusk.
Invisible Man enters the subway wearing his sunglasses and is mistaken for a man named "Rinehart." The lady asks him where his hat is, and then after a few times of insisting he is not who she thinks he is, she concurs that he is not.
Invisible Man buys a hat to go with his new look.
He heads back to Ras's to see if he will recognize him. Two men walk by and say "hi" to "Rinehart."
Invisible Man reaches Ras, then leaves unnoticed. Many pass him calling him "Daddy-O."
He returns to the bar where several people refer to him as the "Poppa-Stopper." There, he approaches Brother Maceo to see if he will recognize him. Invisible Man talks about the brother's ribs and the discussion breaks out into an argument. Barrelhouse tells him to leave and refers to him as Rinehart.
Back on the streets, he approaches a group conversing about Clifton's death. One of them, Muckleroy, recognizes him as Rinehart. Invisible Man hurries off.
A random lady asks him about "the figure." She realizes he is not Rinehart by his shoes, but surprisingly, he does not go buy new shoes.
Cop mistakes him for Rinehart. A gang with guns approaches Invisible Man after the cop leaves and asks about the cop.
Continuing, a girl walks behind him and tells him not to turn. She tells him that she fears that her father may be following her. She sticks money in his pocket.
Invisible Man heads toward Hambro's (still) and takes one of the religious cards being handed out by children. It speaks of invisibilty.
Invisible Man enters a small church and is addressed as Reverend Rinehart. There, he sees a sign that states "Let there be Light." He removes his sunglasses.
At Hambro's, he discusses his concern for the district and the Brotherhood. He leaves, but he forgets his hat. Hambro calls after him to give it to him.
Invisible Man heads toward Harlem. He enters his apartment and dreams.

Themes

Identity: Rinehart and Invisible Man: As Rinehart, he is a work composed of Rinehart the Runner, Lover, Gambler, Briber, and Reverend; first he discovers his invisibility through his costume and religious card.
Brotherhood: against the Brotherhood in this chapter primarily because of Ras's insistent proactive views. It reflects Communism and the Nazis (indicated by the German accent used by Ras). Brotherhood also is indicated in the bar the second time, as well as "brotherhood" as a race.
Racism: Pertaining to the time and location, racism greatly exists. As it is throughout the rest of the novel, Invisible Man feels like he should act inferior although he disregards this as he takes on his new "Rinehart" role. This makes him believe that he is just a number thus losing his identity.
Dreams: The chapter ends with a sexual dream regarding the prostitute who had approached him earlier that evening. The dream motif continues.
Invisibility: This is the first chapter where he accepts his invisibility (chronologically).
Color: His sunglasses are green, thus turning his world green although at the bar the second time; the rotisserie is blue while he is wearing his sunglasses.
Religion: The card the child hands him as well as his trip into the church as Reverend. The religious aspects of his evening allow him to discover his invisibility. Hambro also speaks of members to be sacrificed, relating to the disciples and Invisible Man's quotation regarding bread which relates to Holy Communion (see quotation).
Jack: Jack is in Invisible Man's thoughts. He takes over a godly role so that everywhere Invisible Man goes, thoughts of Jack and his glass eye remain in the back of his mind.
Rine versus Heart: Invisible Man thinks of Rinehart and his one self as separate masterpieces.

Important Quotations

The sign in the church: "Let there be Light" (498). This represents Invisible Man's discovery of invisibility.
"Perhaps, I thought, the whole thing should roll off me like drops of water rolling off Jack's glass eye" (498). This regards the traumatic impact the incident of Jack's eye falling out has on the Invisible Man.
Hambro speaks of "members to be sacrificed." Later, Hambro says, "Those who are dissatisfied will drop away and those who remain you'll teach" (504). This relates to the religion motif. On page 506, Invisible Man states, "They'd ask us for bread and the best I could give was a glass eye." This deals with the religious motif as well, dealing with sacrifice; bread equals the body of Christ.

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