Symbolism Week 3

 

Following a passionate speech about the injustice of an old, black couple’s eviction, the Invisible Man inadvertently starts a riot, and as a result, the Brotherhood recruits him as a speechmaker. Supposedly, the Brotherhood is an organization created to help African Americans gain their rights and enforce equality; however, the true intent of this organization is revealed in the subtle symbolism. Prior to his first speech in front of the members of the Brotherhood, the Invisible Man gets nervous and subsequently, must walk outside to get air, and when he does, he sees: “three white men and three black horses” (Ellison 337). This image symbolizes how white men have been "riding" the black man and using them as forced labor. Furthermore, the imagery conveys black men are driven against their will and have no control over their own destiny, but are at the mercy of the white men. Not only is this imagery symbolic, but in addition, the scene where a car passes the police men on the horses. Here, the horses begin to ride away, but the invisible man sees: “one of the horses violently tossed its head and I saw the gauntleted first yanked down” (Ellison 337). The Brotherhood is depending upon the Invisible Man and his speeches to inspire the members of their organization to fight for equality, conversely, they want to control him, destroy his confidence, and diminish his valve. At last, this symbolism foreshadows the Invisible Man disobeying the Brotherhood and facing the consequences of their wrath just like the horse.