Chapter 4

Lisa Matthes
pp.98-108

Summary

Invisible Man drives Mr. Norton back to the school from the Golden Day. Driving through campus, Invisible Man worries what his punishment may be, thinking "Here within this quiet greenness I possessed the only identity I had ever known, and I was losing (theme)" (99).

This foreshadows his expulsion (theme) from college. On this path of expulsion, Invisible Man will lose his hopes and dreams in that they are connected with the lawns and buildings of the campus. As he pulls up to Mr. Norton's building, he notices its "...white pillars like those of an old plantation manor house..." (100), suggesting images of slavery and prejudice (themes). Invisible Man then makes his way to Dr. Bledsoe's office where he is given a lecture on his behavior. Bledsoe tells Invisible Man he is a fool, saying "We take these white folks where we want them to go, we show them what we want them to see" (102). By saying this, Bledsoe shows that although he is black and humble in the midst of whites, he has a wealth of power (theme). This is proved when they return to Mr. Norton's room and Dr. Bledsoe becomes the ever-humble servant. Invisible Man is sent to his room where he muses over the turn-around Dr. Bledsoe made from powerful manipulator to respectful and meek servant. When obeying orders to see Dr. Bledsoe at Rabb Hall, Invisible Man finds only Mr. Norton. Mr. Norton assures Invisible Man that he cleared everything up with Bledsoe and Invisible Man leaves for chapel somewhat relieved.

Characters

Invisible Man - In this chapter he begins to realize that his time at the college is coming to an end. He also is given insight to the way Bledsoe really thinks about whites.

Mr. Norton - He is one of the trustees whom Invisible Man is driving around. When the blame for his injuries falls upon Invisible Man, he half-heartedly attempts to clear up the misunderstanding, but to no avail.

Dr. Bledsoe - The president at the school. He is black, bald, but influential with wealthy whites and of great importance. In this chapter he gets angry at Invisible Man and proves to be a threat to Invisible Man's college existence.

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