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Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory - Analysis, The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells | The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells - English - Class 12 PDF Download

Liberty Paints

The narrator's first job is in a highly patriotic paint company most famous for its Optic White paint color. Whee-oo! Whee-oo! Symbolism alert! When a novel explicitly about the weird and evil lines drawn in the name of racism mentions white paint, you just know things are about to get crazy symbolic.

In any case, in order to create this pure white, the narrator is instructed to—get this—add ten black drops of toner into each bucket:

"Now measure ten drops into the paint…There, that's it, not too goddam fast. Now. You want no more than ten, and no less."

Slowly, I measured the glistening black drops, seeing them settle upon the surface and become blacker still, spreading suddenly out to the edges. (10.48-10.49)

Could this possibly have anything to do with black/white relations in America? We think so, too.

We think that this paint business demonstrates the necessity of the black contribution to white America —although many people in Invisible Manthink of America as a white man's country, America would not be America without the contributions of black people.

Taking another angle, the name "Liberty Paints" is ironic since it implies freedom for all... which is clearly not the experience of the narrator throughout this entire story.


Vision and Sight

When there's a lot of talk about eyeballs in a book called Invisible Man, you just know something's up with sight. And you're right.

Reverend Barbee gives a crowd-pleasing speech praising the Founder of the college only to later reveal that he is a blind man. Then Brother Jack turns out to have a false left eye. This shows the flawed nature of their visions—Barbee gave a great speech praising an institution and man that are basically shams, and Jack espouses a horribly cold ideology:

"That is your new name," Brother Jack said. "Start thinking of yourself by that name from this moment. Get it down so that even if you are called in the middle of the night you will respond. Very soon you shall be known by it all over the country. You are to answer to no other, understand?" (14.133)

As for the narrator, he comes to believe himself an invisible man because no one actually sees him for who he is—but as someone of whom they can take advantage:

I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.(Prologue.1)

Realizing this social invisibility, the narrator decides to pair it with actualinvisibility, and drops out of sight for an indeterminate amount of time.


Sambo Doll

First things first: what the heck is a Sambo doll? In a word: racism. This little puppet is racism encapsulated. It's a caricature of a black man drawn along the crude and evil lines of mid-century bigotry:

Shake him, shake him, you cannot break him For he's Sambo, the dancing, Sambo, the prancing, Sambo, the entrancing, Sambo Boogie Woogie paper doll. And all for twenty-five cents, the quarter part of a dollar… Ladies and gentlemen, he'll bring you joy, step up and meet him, Sambo the – (20.71-5)

When the narrator further examines the paper doll that Clifton was selling, he realizes that Clifton controlled the doll with a thin black string that was invisible to the audience. Clifton puppeteers the flimsy black doll in much the same way that the Brotherhood manipulated both Clifton and the narrator, or the way the narrator has been manipulated his entire life, or the way black people have been manipulated for white people's entertainment (think of the battle royal, for example).


The Battle Royal Briefcase

If you're anything like us, you hung on to some childhood trinkets for way too long. Maybe it was a "Everyone's A Winner!" tee-ball trophy, or a crown from an elementary school play. And, at some point, you realized that getting your adult life started meant finally throwing away your kiddie nostalgia pieces.

That's pretty much what happens with the battle royal briefcase... except that particular piece of luggage is weighed down with societal expectations and racism as well as youthful innocence.

We think it's symbolic that the narrator receives the briefcase as a naïve kid, and then hangs onto it for the rest of the novel. Emblematic of his past vulnerability, eagerness to please, and youthful ambitions, his final loss of the briefcase suggests a complete severance of ties to his youthful past and a true rebirth.

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FAQs on Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory - Analysis, The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells - The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells - English - Class 12

1. What are some examples of symbolism in "The Invisible Man" by H.G. Wells?
Ans. In "The Invisible Man," there are several examples of symbolism. One notable example is the invisibility of the main character, Griffin, which symbolizes the alienation and isolation he experiences as a result of his scientific experiment. Another example is the bandages and disguises that Griffin uses to conceal his invisibility, symbolizing his attempts to hide his true nature and blend into society.
2. How does imagery contribute to the overall meaning of "The Invisible Man" by H.G. Wells?
Ans. Imagery plays a significant role in "The Invisible Man" by H.G. Wells by creating vivid mental pictures for the readers. For example, the vivid descriptions of Griffin's invisibility and the visual effects of his experiments help readers understand the magnitude and consequences of his actions. Imagery also helps to convey the sense of fear and unease that surrounds the invisible man's presence, adding depth to the narrative.
3. What allegorical elements can be found in "The Invisible Man" by H.G. Wells?
Ans. "The Invisible Man" contains several allegorical elements that represent broader themes and ideas. One allegorical element is the invisible man's pursuit of power and dominance, which symbolizes the dangers of unchecked ambition and the potential for corruption. The invisible man's invisibility itself can also be seen as an allegory for the hidden aspects of human nature and the potential for individuals to become detached from society.
4. How does symbolism contribute to the theme of identity in "The Invisible Man" by H.G. Wells?
Ans. Symbolism in "The Invisible Man" helps to explore the theme of identity by highlighting the challenges faced by the main character, Griffin, in maintaining his sense of self. Griffin's invisibility symbolizes the loss of identity and the struggle to be seen and recognized by others. The bandages and disguises he uses further emphasize the theme of identity as he attempts to hide his true self and maintain a semblance of humanity.
5. How does the use of symbolism, imagery, and allegory enhance the reader's understanding of "The Invisible Man" by H.G. Wells?
Ans. The use of symbolism, imagery, and allegory in "The Invisible Man" enhances the reader's understanding by adding layers of meaning and depth to the narrative. Symbolism helps to convey abstract concepts and themes, such as identity and power, in a tangible and relatable way. Imagery creates vivid mental images that engage the reader's senses and evoke emotions. Allegory allows for the exploration of broader social and philosophical ideas, encouraging readers to think critically about the story's implications beyond its surface level.
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