Black vs White Week 2 (New York)

The Invisible Man's trip to New York submerges him into a brand new environment unlike any of the others he has introduced us to in the previous settings; the city of Harlem is a "salt-and-pepper mob". In his journey thus far, the white men in society withhold the power over the blacks. This change in setting keys into the fact that Harlem will open the invisible man's eyes to how it is possible for both races to be able to sit together as one, just  like salt and pepper. The next visualization provided of New York can be found in the unappealing description of a blemish found on the skin of a white lady, "I stared with horror at a large mole that arose out of the... whiteness of her skin like a black mountain". While this description is seemingly appalling it addresses the Invisible man's reaction and thoughts towards his submersion. Even the simple idea of the two races being so close and in contact with each other shock the man. At this time in the novel the man is surrounded by people of all shapes sizes and even races, the invisible man feels "trapped", both physically and mentally. While his physical trap is due to the amount of people in the area his mental trap is due to him being close-minded in his beliefs regarding race. After the people disperse, the man starts to explore his new surroundings and begins to notice the differences between Harlem and the college. The two significant observations he makes deal with both gender and obedience. One of the first observations the man makes is how there are "black girls [working] behind the counters". This is one of the first positive associations with women thus far in the  novel. The previous women introduced were white, naked, and used for "entertainment" purposes. Harlem has introduced a new view to the Invisible man of women, one that provides more respect. The fact behind the gender differences also gives the reader a sense of how because of their race white women are simply there for temptation and sin while black women can serve a purpose. The next aspect significantly addressed in Harlem is the fact a "black policeman" was directing traffic and "the white drivers... obeyed" him. This shows a reversal of the power in society and also connects to the roulette wheel mentioned previously to foreshadow the times changing in society. Harlem itself, to the Invisible man is a "new world" with new views and new hope; it is the city of his "dreams".