Invisible Man
Chapter Seven
The narrator goes to the train station and buys a ticket. He enters the bus Where he meets the vet he once met at the Golden Day and his chaperone, Mr. Crenshaw, a short man. They sit in the back of the bus. The vet tells the narrator that he has been transferred to another asylum and that he is heading to Washington DC.
When he learns that the narrator is going to New York, he says that he makes the most of his freedom there, even with a white girl. He further advises him to be smart when he gets there.
The vet tells the narrator to stay away from Mr. Norton of the world because “world is a possibility.” He and Mr. Crenshaw later get off and change to another bus. The narrator now feels lonely on the bus. He then foreshadows the experiences he would have gained in New York by the time he is back in school.
He alights and takes the subway to Harlem. He is scared that a white woman that he is crushed against might scream, but the woman is friendly.
The narrator gets off and walks on the streets of New York. He is surprised that a white driver obeys the order of a black policeman. He later bumps into the gathering of a group of angry crowds led by a short man named Ras.
There are also two police stationed at the assembly ready to help the narrator when he looks confused. He then asks the officers, stammering in the direction of the Men’s house, that he just got off the subway.
He is directed to the place and advised to be of good behavior. He thanks the policemen and leaves. He later gets to the Men’s House, registers, and goes into his room.
Chapter Eight
The narrator feels comfortable in his new room but is home sick as New York is far from home. He reads the Bible to get himself engaged.
He also makes himself important by standing in front of the mirror, placing the letters in front of himself, and reading the important names on the letters. He plans to wake up early, dress smartly, take his breakfast, and go out to deliver the letters given to him by Dr. Bledsoe.
His first visit is to Mr. Bates. The secretary collects the letter and goes in to deliver it to Mr. Bates. The secretary returns, apologizing that Mr. Bates cannot see him. He is disappointed but still optimistic. He is asked to put down his name and address so that he will be contacted. He thinks that something good would come out of the letters.
The narrator is with the last letter but never gets any reply from those delivered. He telephones the men but no success is recorded. He then remembers Mr. Norton that it would have been better if one of the letters was addressed to him. He then decides to write to him and posts the letter. He expects to receive the reply but no reply is seen.
The last letter is for Mr. Emerson. He decides to do something different this time, instead of delivering the letter to the secretary, he writes another letter of introduction explaining his connection with Dr. Bledsoe and books an appointment with him, and gives the letter to the secretary.
The narrator thinks over his condition and realizes that he is running out of money and the people in the Men’s House think he is already engaged in juicy employment. As he thinks over this, he gets a letter from Mr. Emerson.