The Narrator

The central character of Invisible Man is an unnamed Black man from Greenwood, South Carolina, recounting his journey to New York City. He considers himself "invisible," not due to physical or magical causes but because society deliberately overlooks him. He narrates his tale, exploring his realization of invisibility and his decision to utilize this condition to detach from societal norms.

This narrator is emotional and prone to quick anger and occasional violence, yet he also exhibits introspection and a profound sense of justice. He often finds himself influenced by external forces, leading to the novel’s central drama where he is swept along by others' actions before fully understanding his path. Despite these challenges, he is witty, intelligent, and adept at impromptu speaking, enabling him to navigate the diverse societal factions he encounters.

Throughout the narrative, the narrator undergoes several instances of "unnaming," both to himself and the audience. For example, he suffers memory loss after a forced lobotomy that leaves him uncertain of his identity, sheds his persona upon joining the Brotherhood, and burns all personal identification when trapped in a manhole, needing light to escape. The novel also serves as his "confession," reflecting broader historical narratives of Black America while he grapples with identity and social responsibility.

Influential characters in his life include his grandfather, whose paradoxical advice about subverting authority with agreement haunts him, and Mary Rambo, who provides him shelter and motherly care in Harlem. His encounters range from the enigmatic Brother Jack, who recruits him into the Brotherhood, to the militant Ras the Exhorter, who opposes the Brotherhood’s interracial mission. Throughout his journey, the narrator confronts numerous betrayals and revelations, culminating in his recognition of his invisibility and a newfound readiness to emerge and contribute to society.

Dr. A. Herbert Bledsoe

Dr. A. Herbert Bledsoe is the president of the historically Black college attended by the narrator. Initially admired by the narrator as a figure of success and power, Bledsoe exemplifies the duality of a seemingly subservient demeanor towards whites while maintaining tyrannical control over the Black student body. He is referred to derogatorily by students as "Old Bucket-head."

His true nature is revealed when the narrator inadvertently exposes Bledsoe’s façade to Mr. Norton, a white benefactor. Bledsoe prioritizes his standing and personal power over the welfare of the Black community he claims to represent. Despite Mr. Norton’s insistence, Bledsoe expels the narrator to preserve the college's image, further issuing false recommendation letters that thwart the narrator’s future, displaying his capacity for cruel manipulation.

Bledsoe’s actions demonstrate his philosophy of maintaining power by fostering right connections while staying hidden. His character reflects the internal struggle and compromises within Black leadership under systemic racial oppression.

Mr. Norton

Mr. Norton is a wealthy white trustee of the college, embodying a patronizing attitude typical of Northern liberal benefactors. He views his contributions as investments in shaping Black destinies. His encounter with Jim Trueblood and the chaos at the Golden Day exposes his unacknowledged desires and complex racial dynamics.

Despite causing the narrator’s expulsion, Norton insists on the narrator's innocence, yet remains blind to the deeper implications of his actions. His character highlights the paternalistic and often self-serving motivations behind white philanthropy in racial progress.

Brother Jack

A leading figure in the Brotherhood, Brother Jack is a white man who recruits the narrator after a public eviction speech in Harlem. Initially perceived as smug and elusive, Jack’s true colors emerge as he manipulates the organization to serve his ends, disregarding the individual needs of its members.

Jack’s leadership is characterized by a dogmatic adherence to "scientific" and quasi-Marxist rhetoric, and his removal of a glass eye during a confrontation symbolizes his limited, selective vision. He ultimately reveals himself as an orchestrator of division and unrest in the Black community under the guise of equality.

Brother Tod Clifton

Brother Tod Clifton is a charismatic youth leader within the Brotherhood. Initially committed to fighting racial inequality, his charisma and style set him apart, but he becomes disillusioned with the Brotherhood and exits without explanation.

Clifton’s eventual street performance with demeaning puppets and subsequent death at the hands of the police catalyze social unrest and heighten the narrator’s awareness of the Brotherhood’s failings. Clifton’s tragic end underscores themes of disillusionment and sacrifice in the struggle for racial justice.

Ras the Exhorter / Ras the Destroyer

Ras the Exhorter, later Ras the Destroyer, is a radical Black nationalist leader who opposes the Brotherhood’s interracial approach. His fiery rhetoric and disdain for perceived betrayal by Black members of the Brotherhood incite conflict throughout Harlem.

Ras’s transformation into "Ras the Destroyer" marks a climax of rebellion and unrest, driven by his vision of African nationalism and separatism. His character challenges the narrator and illuminates the ideological rifts within the Black liberation movement.

Mary Rambo

Mary Rambo is a nurturing presence who shelters the narrator after his hospital discharge. She represents strength and communal care, embodying the supportive nature of Black communities facing systemic challenges. Her unwavering faith in Southern values provides a stabilizing force in the narrator’s turbulent life.

Jim Trueblood

Jim Trueblood is a Black sharecropper who scandalizes Mr. Norton with an account of incest. Despite his controversial actions, Trueblood’s honesty and resilience earn him the narrator’s conflicted admiration. His story reflects societal taboos and the complexities of moral judgment within oppressed communities.

Brother Tarp

A seasoned member of the Brotherhood, Brother Tarp offers wisdom and support to the narrator. His history of escaping a Southern chain gang and his gifting of a symbolic ankle iron link highlight themes of enduring resistance and shared struggle.

The Veteran at the Golden Day

The veteran is a perceptive and articulate patient at the Golden Day who reveals unsettling truths to Mr. Norton and the narrator. His insights into racial and personal identity challenge the narrator, symbolizing awareness suppressed by societal norms.

The Reverend Homer A. Barbee

The Reverend Homer A. Barbee, a blind preacher, delivers a stirring sermon at the college. His speech, filled with irony, underscores the disconnection between idealistic rhetoric and the harsh realities of racial inequality faced by the Black community.

Lucius Brockway

Lucius Brockway is the narrator’s combative supervisor at Liberty Paints. His fierce protection of his position against union threats encapsulates the struggle for job security amidst systemic racism. His character depicts the tensions between individual survival and collective action.

Emma

Emma is a prominent figure within the Brotherhood. Her initial doubts about the narrator’s suitability due to his skin color reveal the organization’s underlying prejudices despite its outward mission of equality.

Sybil

Sybil is the wife of a Brotherhood member and engages in a brief affair with the narrator seeking information. Her character illustrates personal and political complexities within the Brotherhood.

Rinehart

Rinehart is an elusive figure whose multifaceted identity—ranging from preacher to gambler—challenges the narrator’s understanding of reality and identity. As the narrator is mistaken for Rinehart, he confronts the fluidity and complexity of human existence.

Grandfather

Though deceased, the narrator's grandfather has a profound impact through his last words, urging subversive compliance with oppressive systems. His advice becomes a haunting reminder of the novel’s themes of identity and resistance.

Brother Wrestrum

Brother Wrestrum, a member of the Brotherhood, sows discord with false accusations against the narrator, illustrating the factionalism and betrayal within the organization.

Peter Wheatstraw

Peter Wheatstraw is a street vendor whose blues singing evokes the narrator’s nostalgia for his Southern roots, highlighting the cultural continuity amidst displacement.