At the beginning of the novel, Joe (this is what I call the Invisible Man) is asked to leave his college for one year; however, Mr. Bledsoe, the college's president, has instructed that he be expelled from the college forever. Joe leaves the college, not knowing that he will never be allowed back, and goes to the place where he knows he will have opportunities. This place is Harlem, New York.

When Joe first arrives, he comments on the people of Harlem. He notices that in the "South everyone [knew] you, but coming North was a jump into the unknown" (487-488). Joe is appalled by the site of a African-American traffic cop directing traffic in a busy street; he cannot believe that the white people of Harlem actually listen to him and follow his orders.

He goes to intergrated movie theaters and integrated clubs such as Club Calamus and The Chthonian. It was these "musical revues, small nightclubs with singing and dancing" that drew many whites into Harlem (Bragdon 784). This was the first time whites had really mixed with African Americans.

On his way to find a job, Joe meets a man on the street peddling blueprints; the man talks to him about how Harlem can have a profound effect on someone. Joe should have paid more attention to the man. The man warns Joe that he will become just like everyone else and go to the clubs and be a part of the nightlife of Harlem; however, Joe does not think this possible at the time.

But, later he attends Brother Jack's huge party at the Chthonian with so many distinguished whites and African Americans all together in one great room.

Joe calls himself "Jack the Bear," and he accordingly refers to Harlem as "The Bear's Den."

Ras the Exhorter is the Negro Nationalist that Joe and Clifton encounter while on the streets of Harlem. Ras is very like Marcus Garvey who was also a spokesman for "Negro Nationalism." Garvey was a dynamic leader from Jamaica who spoke to African Americans about their home country, Africa; he also wanted to lead them back to their motherland where they could celebrate their history and pride without interference from white people. Ras acts much the same way. He rambles off in an angry tirade about "Mama Africa" and how Joe and Clifton should be ashamed because they are traitors to their race by working side by side with whites to achieve African-American goals.

Toward the end of the novel, Joe is mistaken for Rinehart, a man who seems to be a significant figure in Harlem. He wears a white hat and dark glasses. Rinehart is also a runner for the notorious "numbers game." The numbers game was like a lottery; however, it was mainly only played by African Americans hoping to get rich quick.