The above quote is a remembrance from Invisible Man about his time in college. Initially, he feels optimistic and grateful for the opportunity to attend an all-black college without any financial burden. However, when he mentions “the spell breaks” upon opening his eyes, he is acknowledging the harsh realities of life beyond the college’s confines. In this quote, opening his eyes symbolizes the realization of the difficulties and suffering that exist outside of his personal experiences.
Despite his current ease, the protagonist acknowledges the ongoing struggles of his fellow individuals of the same race who continue to combat segregation daily. This realization, although unwelcome and unanticipated at this stage of the story, marks the invisible man’s initial progress in comprehending the true workings of the world. Following the protagonist’s escorting of Mr. Norton to Jim Truelove’s cabin, Blessed requests a meeting with the invisible man, but only after the latter visits the chapel. It is during this moment that the word “eyes” resurfaces with notable significance.
While in the chapel, the Invisible Man encounters a man who delivers a captivating speech. It is only at the end that the Invisible Man realizes an important detail – the man giving the speech, Homer A. Barber, is blind (Pig 1 33). This blindness holds significant significance in relation to his speech. Barber addresses a congregation of influential white men in the chapel, and his blindness distinguishes him from them in ways beyond the obvious. Due to his blindness, Barber is incapable of judging others solely based on their race.
Despite being judged by others for being black, Barber has the unique ability to listen to people’s voices without considering their race. Because he is blind, this surprises the Invisible Man but also helps him understand how a black man can confidently speak in front of a white audience without succumbing to their expectations and instead speaking his own truth.
Invisible Man takes his first step towards independence and autonomy. After being expelled from Blessed, he is given letters to give to potential employers. However, he realizes that these employers are not interested and ends up working at a paint factory that mistreats him from the beginning. When asked to add a black substance to white paint, he questions the authority of the white man in charge and challenges him to disclose the paint’s contents. The white man responds angrily, affirming his knowledge. This interaction illustrates the reaction of a white man when confronted and contradicted by a black man. The intensity of his eyes reflects the anger he feels when being questioned by someone he considers inferior. This experience serves as a wake-up call for Invisible Man, reminding him that even in the North, white men will always view him as inferior and devalue him compared to others.
Despite living in a place that historically had less slavery than his birthplace, the protagonist of Invisible Man still feels obligated to treat white men better than they deserve. Following an incident at a paint factory, the protagonist goes through a process of refuting. Upon exiting the subway, his first destination is Lenox Avenue. As he emerges from the subway, he expresses his focus on the teetering scene with wide-eyed innocence, likening his perception to that of a newborn.
Although Invisible Me has seen the world before and been to New York, this is his first time experiencing it with his new identity. This moment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Invisible Man, offering him the opportunity to live a different life. The infant’s eyes symbolize his process of adapting to this unknown existence and comprehending the changes occurring around him. Eyes are once again brought up when the Invisible Man envisions confronting Blessed for leading him into a life filled with challenges.
This is also the hardship that he realized existed outside the college he loved so much. “I accuse you before the eyes of the world” (pig 265). A man accuses Blessed of committing an act he finds disgusting and shameful. He accuses Blessed of eating Hog Maw, which is the insides of a pig’s stomach. The eyes mentioned by the Invisible man in the above quote refer to the witnesses he is accusing Blessed in front of.
