Chapter 22 is located on pages 462-478. This entire chapter deals with the conversation between Iman and the Brotherhood following Brother Clifton's death. Brother Jack interrogates Iman asserting his leadership over Iman and the black population of Harlem. Brother Tobitt also adds to the discussion by supporting Jack and grilling Iman. This questioning leads Iman to discover Brother Jack's glass eye. Jack takes it out during the lecture in order to intimidate Iman. The chapter takes place at the Brotherhood's headquarters.

Many themes are represented in Chapter 22. Power is the most prevalent. Brother Jack asserts that he is the leader of the black people of Harlem, and the committee decides on what is right and wrong. While doing this, he brings forth another theme, one of humility. Iman becomes completely humiliated when Jack takes his glass eye from its socket. Iman never knew that the eye was fake and is embarrassed to find that out. Brother Jack claims that the eye was earned due to another theme, sacrifice. Jack claims that the eye was lost due to his duty. He tells Iman that sacrifice is the key to the survival of the Brotherhood. Blindness and invisibility are more themes from this chapter; however, they both are derived form the same source, the glass eye. Iman realizes the Jack really does not see him (invisibility) because one of his eyes is not real (blindness).

A few motifs appear in Chapter 22. The most important is the one of dreams. Iman feels as though the men are waiting for him at the beginning of the chapter in the same way that his grandfather waits for him in his dreams. Furthermore, as Brother Jack intimidates Iman with the removal of his glass eye, Iman feels as though he is in a dreamlike state, wondering if it is real.

Another motif in this chapter is one of brotherhood/union. The men still unite for this meeting despite their attempts to single out Iman for the death of Brother Clifton and the ensuing glorification of him.

The last motif is one of blood. When Brother Jack's glass eye is removed, the red wound appears on his face. The red is, of course, from the blood shed when the eye was lost.

"Brother, you were not hired to think" (469). Brother Jack to Iman

"The leader. As leader of the Brotherhood, I am their leader" (473). Brother Jack

"I lost my eye in the line of duty! What do you think about that?" (475) Brother Jack

"And do you know what discipline is, [Iman]? It's sacrifice, sacrifice, SACRIFICE! " (475) Brother Jack

"So that is the meaning of discipline, I thought, sacrifice...yes, and blindness" (475). Iman

"I looked from his face to the glass, thinking, he's disemboweled himself just in order to confound me" (474). Iman

by Bill Freund