Chapters 20-23

1
Chapters 20-23

• Morgan Hughes
• Katie Thorson

2
Themes

• The search for equality can upset the social
  status quo.
• A marginalized group often ends up fighting for
  themselves.

3
Thesis

• With Cliftons death and the Brotherhoods
  reaction to Invisible Mans eulogy, Ellison shows
  the lower classs lone struggle for equality and
  both its positive and negative effects on social
  structure.

4
Evidence 1

• IMs inability to reach anyone besides those in
  his class after Cliftons death I tried to get
  in touch with headquarters, but again I was
  unable to reach anyone. I called the Chtonian but
  there was no answer. So I called a committee of
  the districts leading members and we moved
  slowly ahead on our own. (Ellison 449)

5
SO WHAT 1

• The men in charge of the Brotherhood aren't
  actively participating in the struggle of the
  blacks, because they don't have to deal with the
  constant judging and hatred based on their skin
  tone. However, IM is constantly part of the
  struggle, only able to find his home in this
  never ending fight. The BH is part of a higher
  class and arent always available to help when
  needed. IM and the others were unsure as to what
  to do, so IM improvised a situation which ended
  up backfiring like his action so often do.

6
Evidence 2

• When Invisible Man goes to meet the Brotherhood
  after the eulogy, he gets yelled at and degraded
  for the show he puts on and realizes the
  Brotherhood isnt really there to help him
  anymore. What was that? He said. Your what?
  My personal responsibility I said. (Ellison
  463) If I left it, Id be nowhere. As dead and
  as meaningless as Clifton. (Ellison 478)

7
SO WHAT 2

• The meeting with the Brotherhood solidifies for
  the Invisible Man how alone he is in his fight
  for equality and how the strides hes making are
  upsetting the social structure of the community
  and in the Brotherhood itself. When he mentions
  his social responsibility and how great the
  eulogy was they all get angry because they feel
  like hes trying to step out and be his own
  person and the way they see it hes only supposed
  to be a toy for them to use when and if they
  choose. Any time he tries to become his own
  person they rope him back in to not upset the
  status quo and fight for equality while trying
  to keep things the same. Their unsupportive
  attitude makes the Invisible Man realize how
  alone he is in his real fight and that the upper
  classes dont want change at all and will only
  interfere with his attempt to get it.

8
Evidence 3

• When IM speaks to Hambro about the events
  surrounding Cliftons death There is nothing
  to be done about it that wouldnt upset the
  larger plan. (Ellison 501) we are making
  temporary alliances with other political
  groups. (502)

9
SO WHAT 3

• The constant changing and shifting of political
  allegiances changed how those involved in the
  search for equality act and respond to various
  situations. The fact that so many people are
  involved in some way or another means that any
  change affects people across the board. One rally
  or march causes a large influx of people,
  changing the dynamics in the area. Groups that
  would never be connected end up working together
  in an attempt to achieve equality, making new
  social connections and sacrificing old ones. IM
  is shifted not only from group to group, but also
  from various levels within said groups.

10
Evidence 4

• When IM is speaking to Hambro about the choices
  the Brotherhood is making Everywhere Ive
  turned somebody has wanted to sacrifice me for my
  good- only they were the ones who benefitted.
  (Ellison 505) Is this the new true definition,
  is Brotherhood a matter of sacrificing the
  weak?(505)

11
SO WHAT 4

• While the Brotherhood may play the part of a
  protector, they are still wiling to sacrifice the
  people who they are supposedly fighting for. If
  the discriminated groups didnt fight for their
  own rights, no one would actually be looking out
  for their best interests. IM begins to realize
  this and now must lead the fight for his own
  people. In order to move forward in the movement
  he must fight the Brotherhood by yessing them
  to death and smiling to their face while stabbing
  them in the back.

12
Conclusion

• Throughout the events surrounding Cliftons death
  and funeral, IM finds his home in a struggle. IM
  takes a harder route instead of the path of least
  resistance. He subconsciously makes things more
  difficult for himself with his responses and
  actions.