Power

In chapter two, the Invisible Man describes the campus of the all-black college he is attending. Some of the descriptions he gives are beautiful and vibrant with life; however, others reveal that the campus is "dry", "empty", "barren", and "stagnant". To further exemplify the oppressive setting of the college, the Invisible Man explores the meaning behind a statue on the campus. The statue depicts the Founder of the college lifting a veil off of the face of a kneeling slave. Interestingly, the Invisible Man questions if whether or not the veil is being lifted or pushed on further. This is significant because he is questioning and realizing the extent of the power that white people have over his own people. Despite the progress black people seem to be making in the novel by attending college, white people are blinding them with a façade of an opportunity for equality while in reality they still view them as they always have. They deep down inside do not want black people to have any power or equality because it could conflict with theirs. They want black people to be like Jim Trueblood and comply to their stereotypes. On the other hand they  behave differently and respond to the popular belief of the time of the "White Man's Burden" and their "social responsibility" of "civilizing" black people. So to appease the black people they provide them with opportunities to attend all-black colleges and grant them permission to speak at events like the one the Invisible Man spoke at in chapter one. The white people put on "masks" of being progressive while in reality their behavior can be linked to the dream that the Invisible Man had about his grandfather. They are "keeping the Invisible Man running" in hopes that he will never realize their true desires and intentions so that he can not threaten their authority or power.