Power Week 3

During the scene of the eviction of the old black couple, the Invisible Man delivered a speech that ignited violence among the listening African American men and women towards the white men "dispossessing" the old couple. Brother Jack was impressed with the speech and pursued the Invisible Man to talk with him about becoming a spokesperson for the "Brotherhood". The Invisible Man first denies his offer but later calls Brother Jack to talk further about accepting the job. During their second conversation, Brother Jack talks about the "dead" still holding some sort of power. The "dead" he is referring to are past leaders, specifically Booker T. Washington. Brother Jack tells the Invisible Man that it is a "great mistake" to believe that "the dead are completely powerless." He explains that they are "powerless only to give the full answer to the new questions posed for the living by history." Brother Jack goes on to say that the great leaders of the past are "being asked to step up once again." First, this is significant because of the emphasis Brother Jack places on choosing a "powerful" leader. The reader may recall that earlier in the novel the concept of power is presented as being corrupt, in characters such as Dr. Bledsoe. Brother Jack is now associated in the reader's mind with the same hunger for power and desire to keep power which foreshadows the sinister nature of the "Brotherhood". This power hungriness suggests an interest in self gain rather than an interest in equality for all people living in New York City. The reader is skeptical of the "Brotherhood's" true mission and purpose. Secondly, this quote is significant because Brother Jack is asking the Invisible Man to basically reincarnate a leader of the past like Booker T. Washington. This idea conflicts with the purpose of the Invisible Man's journey which is to find himself and achieve self-enlightenment. The Invisible Man will never discover his true self if he spends his life mimicking historical figures. The reader realizes that Brother Jack and the "Brotherhood" are not helping but hindering the Invisible Man in his journey. Overcoming this obstacle is now necessary towards the Invisible Man's realization of who he really is.