Chapter 6 (136-150)

pp. 136-150
Seth Terry

Chapter Summary

At the opening of the chapter, the narrator is walking around thinking of what he is going to say to Bledsoe. After some reflection, he finally goes to Bledsoe's office where he and Bledsoe begin to discuss his actions. Throughout the conversation, Bledsoe reiterates his views on how a Negro should act around white people. Basically he tells the narrator that the only acceptable way to help his race, gain power, and please the white man is to lie. When Norton ordered Invisible Man to drive to Trueblood's cabin, Bledsoe says Invisible Man should have made up an excuse for them not to go there. Throughout the meeting, Invisible Man becomes continually apprehensive towards Bledsoe and the views he holds. However, by the end of the chapter, Bledsoe gains Invisible Man's trust by giving him what is presumed to be seven letters of recommendation. He proves that his way is successful, using himself as an example.

Characters

Invisible Man: As the reader, we see Bledsoe much in the same light that he does. At first, there is a sense of mistrust, but by the end of the chapter the opposite is true.

Dr. Bledsoe: The president of the college, whom Invisible Man looks up to as a black man with power. At first Invisible Man resents Dr. Bledsoe because of what Invisible Man feels is unwarranted punishment. By the end of the chapter, Invisible Man gains his trust and feels the doctor is on his side because of the seven letters of recommendation.

Symbols

The Letters: The seven letters of recommendation will no doubt show up again in future chapters. As it turns out, they are letters of betrayal and will help Invisible Man to realize what his grandfather meant to keep him running.

Shackles: While in Dr. Bledsoe's office, Invisible Man's attention is drawn to the shackles. They are presented as a physical reminder of what his race has been through and where he is from.

Blindness: Ellison uses blindness in the preceding chapter and in this chapter. In the preceding chapter, it was the physical blindness of Barbee, but now it is the metaphorical blindness of Invisible Man. He is blinded by Bledsoe's motives and actions, which he believes to be the way to go by the end of the chapter.

Fists: As Invisible Man enters Bledsoe's office, it is mentioned that Bledsoe's fists are clenched. Previous mentionings of fists are in the first chapter with the Battle Royal. I think the fists represent a person's willingness to do anything for self-gain. Bledsoe and the fighters all get their power or attempts at power without thinking of the people around them.

Setting

The majority of this chapter takes place in Bledsoe's office. It is described as having "old heavy furnishings, the relics from the times of the Founder, the framed portrait photographs and relief plaques of presidents and industrialists, men of power--fixed like trophies or heraldic emblems upon the walls." Once again the office draws attention back to the times of slavery and intimidates Invisible Man with the presence of power.

Quotations

The next two quotations are both spoken by Bledsoe and illustrate his views on how a black person should act in order to gain power.

"You're black and living in the South - did you forget how to lie?" (139)

"I had to be strong and purposeful to get where I am. I had to wait and plan and lick around... Yes, I had to act the nigger!" (143)

The last quotation represents the selfishness of Dr. Bledsoe in his quest to maintain his power only for self-gain, not for that of his race.

"I've made my place in it and I'll have every Negro in the country hanging on tree limbs by morning if it means staying where I am" (143).

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