Invisible Man returns to the campus as Mr. Norton's escort. After the day's occurrences with Trueblood and at the Golden Day, Mr. Norton is ill and very angry. Invisible Man explains that, upon approaching the campus, familiarity and beauty return to the day. Still, this relief to be safe in his environment does not last because of the imminent punishment he will receive from Dr. Bledsoe. Mr. Norton is very controlled and polite but insists on speaking with the school president. Invisible Man knows that he is not to blame for any of the troubles that occurred. He did only what Mr. Norton ordered him to do. His conscience, however, assures him that he will suffer consequences for doing so.

Invisible Man delivers Mr. Norton to his room and proceeds to Dr. Bledsoe's office. Apologizing and floundering, the protagonist meets with the president. This meeting is brief and Dr. Bledsoe is furious. The two of them return together to Mr. Norton's room where the protagonist must face the two influential men. Dr. Bledsoe makes a fuss over the elderly man and the cut he had received on his head. Mr. Norton, however, dismisses Invisible Man and assures him that "everything will be explained," (104) but insists that he attend chapel that evening. Invisible Man reflects on this forgiveness and sees Mr. Norton in a new way. He visualizes Mr. Norton's removing his hat with all humility and allowing others to sit while he remains standing. The protagonist's reflection of this man is very different from any previous description in the novel. It is the first of few that is not an illustration of the immorality with which he is surrounded.

The protagonist interacts with only three other characters in this chapter. The first is a receptionist for Mr. Norton's rooms. She asks Invisible Man to take a coded message to her boyfriend by telling him that "the grass is green." He consents to doing so but there is no implication that this ever occurs. He only reflects for a moment on the foolishness of her secret codes and the fact that she will probably be sent home pregnant. Immediately, however, his thoughts turn toward himself as he decides that her disgrace would not surpass his present shame.

The next person he associates with is his roommate. The conversation is short and jesting. The protagonist, however, is unable to entertain his comrade's mirth because of his present state-of-mind. Last, a small freshman knocks at Invisible Man's door to announce that Dr. Bledsoe wants to see him.

Invisible Man goes directly to meet him but finds that Dr. Bledsoe has gone and only Mr. Norton remains. Mr. Norton tells him that Dr. Bledsoe had to leave, but that he must go talk to the president after chapel. He assures the protagonist that he believes that Dr. Bledsoe understands and additionally explains that he is leaving that evening for "business." In contrast to the previous passage concerning Mr. Norton in this chapter, this section shows him to be cool and indifferent to the protagonist. Invisible Man, however, does not seem to notice this and promptly leaves for chapel.

by Kristin Jenkins