Invisible Man Chapter 20 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does the narrator realize when he returns to Harlem?

The community is not all for the Brotherhood and feels abandoned by them.

What happens when Clifton appears in chapter 20, and why is it strange?

He is selling puppets which look like stereotypical black dancing boys, which is not like him to perpetuate a stereotype.

Does Clifton see the narrator? Why is this significant?

Yes, their eyes meet, and he gives the narrator a contemptuous smile.

Where does the narrator keep Clifton's doll?

In his briefcase. Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator feel about Clifton's death?

He feels the Brotherhood should take action, but realizes individuals are not important to them. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when he tries to contact the Brotherhood?

They are absent and unresponsive. Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator do in response to Clifton's death when the Brotherhood doesn't respond?

He gathers community members to organize a funeral. Signup and view all the answers

How does the tone of the funeral speech differ from the tone we would normally expect at a funeral?

It is full of irony and sarcasm, making Clifton sound relatable and human. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Brotherhood upset with the narrator?

He held a funeral and eulogy for Clifton, which they consider a traitorous act. Signup and view all the answers

What is the connection to the phrase personal responsibility?

It parallels the debate over 'social equality' versus 'social responsibility'. Signup and view all the answers

What does Jack's eye symbolize?

Jack's lost eye symbolizes a lesson in discipline and sacrifice. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ras accuse the narrator of?

Working with the Brotherhood to remain inactive and betray the people. Signup and view all the answers

What name does Ras have in chapter 23?

The Destroyer. Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator see escaping Ras's thugs?

He sees men wearing sunglasses and thinks of buying a pair as a disguise. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the narrator mistaken for?

Rinehart. Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator realize about Rinehart?

He has contradictory identities, leading the narrator to question his understanding of others. Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator consider?

He considers the possibilities and power that might open up to him if he embraced fluid identities. Signup and view all the answers

Who does the narrator visit?

Brother Hambro. Signup and view all the answers

What does he realize about the Brotherhood?

He must behave like Rinehart and wear a disguise with the Brotherhood. Signup and view all the answers

Who does he pick as his inside source of info?

Emma, a brother's woman. Signup and view all the answers

Why does he change his mind about Emma, and who does he pick instead?

He realizes Emma isn't a wise choice and instead chooses Sybil, a brother's lonely wife. Signup and view all the answers

Why does he change his mind about Sybil, and what happens?

Sybil is not a wise choice either, as she knows nothing of the Brotherhood's politics. Signup and view all the answers

Who does Sybil parallel?

The last woman he was with, sharing similar assumptions. Signup and view all the answers

What shifts the tone of the evening?

When Sybil asks him to rape her. Signup and view all the answers

How are Sybil and the narrator alike?

They are both in groups that have less power and are stereotyped and used. Signup and view all the answers

What is his action of writing on her in lipstick out of, and what does he do next?

Out of pity and anger, he wipes it off. Signup and view all the answers

What happens after his encounter with Sybil?

He gets a call from the Brotherhood to return to Harlem and he gets her into a taxi. Signup and view all the answers

What happens as he enters Harlem, and what is the significance?

He gets pooped on by birds, similar to the statue of the founder. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Community Reaction

The narrator finds that the Harlem community feels abandoned by the Brotherhood.
Acknowledges that loyalty to the Brotherhood is not universal among the residents.

Clifton's Alienation

Clifton sells stereotypical puppets resembling black dancing boys, showcasing a troubling shift in his character.
Implies deeper themes of exploitation and the objectification of black identity in society.

Significant Encounter

The narrator briefly connects with Clifton, who gives a contemptuous smile, indicating a shared understanding of struggle.
Clifton is arrested for selling stuffed dolls, escalates to violence when he confronts a police officer, leading to his tragic death by gunshot.

Mourning and Reflection

The narrator keeps Clifton's doll as a symbol of lost identity, tucked in his briefcase.
Feels compelled to act after Clifton's death but realizes the Brotherhood values collective ideology over individual lives.

Brotherhood's Response

Attempts to contact the Brotherhood post-Clifton's death are met with silence, highlighting their emotional detachment.
Reflects a major flaw in their ideology focusing on broader social issues rather than personal connections.

Community Engagement

In response to the Brotherhood's apathy, the narrator organizes a community funeral for Clifton, a direct action diverging from Brotherhood principles.
This action fosters a deeper connection between the narrator and the local community.

Tone of the Funeral Speech

The tone is ironic and sarcastic, challenging traditional expectations of funeral speeches.
Employs rhetorical techniques such as repetition and questioning to resonate with the audience and provoke thought.

Brotherhood's Displeasure

The Brotherhood is upset with the narrator for honoring Clifton, viewing this as a betrayal of their collective objectives.
Indicates tension between personal respect for individuals and broader ideological loyalty.

Personal Responsibility Concept

Echoes earlier discussions of "social responsibility" versus "social equality," emphasizing the ongoing conflict within the Brotherhood's philosophy.

Jack's Symbolism

Jack’s eye symbolizes wisdom gained from sacrifice and the burdens of leadership he must carry.
Reflective of broader themes of control and oversight within the Brotherhood.

Ras's Accusations

Ras accuses the narrator of betraying the people while aligning with the Brotherhood, showcasing the tension between different factions in the community.

Rinehart's Identity

Rinehart represents fluid identities, highlighting the complexities of self-perception and societal expectations.
The narrator's realization of Rinehart's contradictory nature leads to reflections on his own identity.

Embracing Fluidity

The narrator considers the potential power and freedom in adopting multiple identities as a strategy, shaped by his experiences and observations.

Shift in Strategy

Visits Brother Hambro, assessing the Brotherhood's expectations and evaluating his role within the organization.
Reflects on the necessity of disguise and adaptability in navigating his invisibility.

Intelligence Gathering

Initially selects Emma as an inside informant but later opts for Sybil, the lonely wife of a brother, showcasing a shift in approach to gain information.

Encounter with Sybil

The encounter with Sybil reveals her ignorance of the Brotherhood's politics, emphasizing the complications of their relationship.
An unexpected turn occurs when Sybil expresses a desire for violent intimacy, shifting their interaction’s dynamics.

Shared Marginalization

Both Sybil and the narrator represent marginalized groups, emphasizing their shared experiences of powerlessness and manipulation.

Action and Aftermath

Writing on Sybil with lipstick stems from feelings of pity and anger, illustrating his emotional turmoil.
After the encounter, he receives a call from the Brotherhood to return to Harlem, signifying his ongoing entanglement with them.

Return to Harlem

As the narrator enters Harlem, he is pooped on by birds, mirroring the statue's desecration, symbolizing the loss of dignity and the struggles within the community.

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Description

Test your knowledge with these flashcards covering key concepts from Chapter 20 of 'Invisible Man'. Explore the narrator's realizations and the implications of Clifton's unusual actions. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of this complex narrative.