Chapter 24 of Invisible Man opens with rioting in Harlem. These riots are being instigated by Ras the Exhortor, much to the dismay of Invisible Man.

Invisible Man has now learned that the Brotherhood is not the great organization he thinks it is and has lost confidence in its promise. In his meetings with the Brotherhood, he resorts to supplying fake lists of new members to impress the committee.

One night, Invisible Man attends a party celebrating Brother Jack's birthday. At this party, he meets Sybil, the wife of a prominent Brotherhood member. Invisible Man attempts to keep his distance when approached by Sybil but ends up escorting her to her home. He then makes arrangements to meet Sybil the following evening while her husband is at a party.

The following evening, Invisible Man meets Sybil at his apartment and starts drinking and speaking of politics. He tried to live up to what he felt Rinehart would do. Sybil then starts making sexual propositions, much to the horror of Invisible Man. Sybil claims that her husband rarely pays attention to her and that she wants Invisible Man to rape her. Invisible Man proceeds to intoxicate Sybil, trying to get her to lose consciousness. He finally gets Sybil drunk enough to convince her they performed sex acts when they in fact did not.

Invisible Man wakes up to a phone call from a member of the Brotherhood requesting his presence. He tells Invisible Man that there is big trouble uptown. He decides to put Sybil in a taxi and send her home. Afterwards, Invisible Man finds Sybil in a park. He gives another taxi driver money and gives him specific instructions not to take her anywhere but home.

The chapter ends with Invisible Man's confusion and running.

The theme of hotness and stickiness is present. Another theme of the woman as the temptress is present in the encounter between Sybil and Invisible Man. Racial mixing is also alluded to in a section regarding the mixing of drinks (p. 447). The chapter ends with the repetitive theme of running.

by Eric Hertsch