Character Analysis
The principal of IM's University in the south. Sends IM to a nonexistent summer job to New York as a punishment.
Who is Bledsoe?
This object is sold by Tod Clifton, and represents the stereotype that African Americans are exceptional performers.
What is the Sambo Doll?
IM excitedly attends school but loses his invitation to the campus after this incident.
What is IM allowing Mr. Norton to learn about Trueblood and the Golden Day?
Leader of the Brotherhood that uses black advocates to further entrench society in white supremacy.
Who is Brother Jack?
This motif arises from IM's inability to be seen as an individual in society.
What is invisibility?
IM advocates for black equality for this organization throughout much of the novel.
What is The Brotherhood?
Who is Ras the Exhorter/Destroyer?
This symbolizes stereotypes of black appearance and humble nature, and literally follows IM wherever he goes.
What is the Bank?
IM comes to realize that he must continue to advocate equality, but without the influence of others, by doing this at the end of the novel.
What is living in hibernation?
In what ways does conflicting ideologies shape IM throughout the novel.
Possible Answers include, but are not limited to:
*Ras's beliefs in crushing white supremacy through violence
*The Brotherhood's peaceful, but freedom inhibiting stance on racism.
*Institutions are too general to reflect the complexities of racial tension.
Unreliable in his observations, this character is often naive towards other's true motives
Who is IM?
This motif represents IM's naivety and is represented through bright lights at his speech, during the Battle Royal, and Reverend Barbee.
What is blindness?
Tod Clifton demonstrates his understanding of societal racism by leaving the Brotherhood after this causes him to question the group's effectiveness.
What is the street fight with Ras?
A former ally of the Brotherhood, and later killed in a minor police squabble.
Who is Tod Clifton?
This symbol boasts white supremacy and the race's ability to cover any "stains" from others.
What is Liberty Paints/Optic White?
IM feels a sense of liberation and identity, but quickly loses it when his brothers disapprove of his words at this event.
What is IM's first rally?