In this chapter, the Invisible Man is on his way to Mr. Emerson's office, to deliver the last of his letters. This chapter tells of events that occur along the way. In order to foreshadow the climatic and unexpected ending, the author decides to ends the chapter in this manner.

The opening paragraph of chapter nine shows that Invisible Man is feeling good about the day. He becomes extremely optimistic and has an overwhelming feeling that "Something would happen" (72). With this quotation, Invisible Man is definitely foreshadowing the dramatic surprise at the end of the chapter. Something will happen today that will change the course of his life, but it is not expected by him.

While continuing down the street, Invisible Man runs into his first encounter of the chapter; an elderly black man is pushing a cart piled high with blueprints. He is singing a song that causes Invisible Man to pause for a moment because it reminds him of home. The old man catches sight of Invisible Man and starts up a conversation.

He immediately recognizes Invisible Man as being from "Down home" (173). The first thing the old man does asks Invisible Man, "Is you got the dog?" (173). This confuses the reader as well as Invisible Man. He perceives the old man as incoherent, and they both become increasingly frustrated as they do not understand one another. The old man continues to confuse Invisible Man, telling him that it is a bear that has a hold of him, and that Harlem is a bear's den. This again symbolically foreshadows the future. Trying to leave this strange conversation, Invisible Man inquires about the man's blueprints. This leads to a discussion or small argument that can be interpreted as a metaphor for life. Invisible Man argues that one should make a plan and stick to it. However the old man makes the point that change is sometimes necessary. Once again illusion uses the literary technique of foreshadowing to let us know that soon Invisible Man continues his walk to Emerson's office.

Next, before continuing, Invisible Man decides to get something for breakfast. When the server approaches him, he offers Invisible Man some "Pork chops, grits, one egg, hot biscuits and coffee" (178). Invisible Man feels insulted and disgraced by this offer. He perceives that the man at the counter automatically sees him being from the south. Invisible Man tries desperately to change his image as being uptown or metropolitan. He cannot understand why he is still recognized as being from the south, which he now perceives as negative. He relates being from the south as being ignorant and incapable. Instead, Invisible Man refuses the offer and orders toast, orange juice, and coffee.

After eating, Invisible Man continues down the street and finally arrives at Mr. Emerson's office. He first hesitates to go inside because he is early, but he quickly throws this thought aside and counters it with the hope that it will show his punctuality and his eagerness to work. After entering, he is greeted by a man that makes him feel slightly uncomfortable. Although he is not completely sure why, later the reader learns that this gentleman is Mr. Emerson's son. Invisible Man informs Mr. Emerson's son of his appointment and hands the young man the letter. Mr. Emerson's son takes the letter and leaves Invisible Man to wait. While waiting, Invisible Man takes the time to look around the office. He has never encountered African Art such as the type that is present in this room. Invisible Man observes the exquisite beauty, vivid colors and true richness of the art. The artifacts at the college encompassed Invisible Man's only exposure to African-American art. Also within the room existed beautiful caged birds. Caged within a white man's office, these birds symbolically depict Invisible Man as being trapped within a white man's world.

Mr. Emerson's son returns and begins to question Invisible Man and proceeds to try to persuade Invisible Man to consider other future possibilities. This aggravates Invisible Man. Mr. Emerson's son soon realizes that his tactics do not work. In frustration, he hands the letter to Invisible Man. Invisible Man reads the letter in horror as he comes to realizes that Dr. Bledsoe has betrayed him. The letter does not possess a recommendation, but a condemnation. It informs the reader of three facts. The first fact reveals the expulsion of Invisible Man from the college. The next fact shows that Dr. Bledsoe believes that Invisible Man should not be hired. Finally, it concludes that Invisible Man does not and should not know the contents of the letter. Invisible Man becomes shocked and hurt by this information. Mr. Emerson's son begins to feel remorse for letting Invisible Man read the letter, but he feels that it is necessary. Another issue of this chapter is the betrayal of Mr. Emerson's son towards his father. Not only does Mr. Emerson's son read the letter addressed to his father, he lets Invisible Man read the letter, he intends to lie about everything, but he also goes on to tell Invisible Man about a job. The job opportunity Mr. Emerson's son refers to is that of a position in a company named Liberty Paints.

Invisible Man leaves the office in an almost trance-like state as yet another song from "home" gets in his head. The chapter closes with Invisible Man's going home and coming to terms with the situation. He calls Liberty Paints and sets up an appointment for the following day. Invisible Man is determined to obtain a job without the help of Dr. Bledsoe.

Humility: Invisible Man feels this several times throughout this chapter.

Betrayal: Mr. Emerson's son betrays him. Invisible Man is betrayed by Dr. Bledsoe.

Color: Blue-blueprints and caged birds

Animals: Bears and birds

Songs: The one on his way to the office that the old man is singing, and the one when he is leaving the office that talks of a bird being picked of all of its feathers.

Paper: Blueprints

Literary Allusions: Huckleberry Finn--Mr. Emerson's son describes the two of them as Jim and Huck.

"I could hardly get to sleep for dreaming of revenge" - IMan (195).

"Identity! My God! Who has any identity anymore anyway!"- Mr. Emerson's son (187).

by Larissa Alcorn