Invisible Man– Epilogue
The narrator reminiscences on his experiences, as well as his invisibility which leads him into leaving in the hole. He also says that when one is invisible, he has all forms of experience.
He also discovers that people hate him when he stands on the truth, that they are not satisfied including himself. He is more loved when he offers them falsehood and what they wish to hear.
He expresses his feelings about being involved in falsehoods that he doesn’t feel comfortable with.
He also points out that the people do not see him the way he is hence, making him invisible. He thereby results in adopting the people’s opinions for years; he finally rejects them and takes to living in the hole.
Despite being in the hole, his mindset does not allow him to rest. His mind then goes to his grandfather’s father’s deathbed advice to always say “yes” to the white.
He says his advice has not helped him unless he doesn’t understand what the old man meant. Maybe the old man meant the principle and not the people. He decries saying “yes” always as it leads to destruction.
Despite this, he doesn’t want the freedom of a Rinehart or that of Jack. Rinehart is for the blacks while Jack is for the white; that is racism. He has not decided, so he remains in the hole.
The narrator says he can’t blame anybody as he also contributes to it in one way or the other. He also stealthily condemns the blacks who bleach their skins to become white.
He also says that he wishes to remain in the hole because; he discovers that the people up there are passionate to force everybody to conform to their beliefs. He relates to the nightmare he had where Jack and the boys are armed with knives.
He adds that if that conformity policy is followed, he will be forced to become white. He points out point blanks that America, like other countries, is “winners take nothing.”
He also recalls seeing Mr. Norton at a subway stop whom I described as an old gentleman. He was lost and didn’t know whom to ask for the way to the centre street. He then approaches the narrator who asks him whether he recognizes him.
Mr. Norton cannot recognize him again. He tells Mr. Norton that he should know him because he is Mr. Norton’s destiny.
He tells him further that he should be ashamed for not knowing the way because, “if you don’t know where you are, you probably don’t know who you are.” He then tells him not to be afraid as there are guards down the platform and that he should take any train.
He laughs at the man back to his hole. Since he doesn’t have any interest in going up there again.
The narrator says that writing his history down is helpful and that hating must come with loving. He also sees the importance of humanity as his grandfather had.
He then decides that he has hibernated for a long time and will shake off the old skin and leave the hole. He says life is full of good and bad, but his experiences in the hole have taught him to distinguish between good and bad.
He expresses his feelings about this book and the thoughts of the people. He explains that people should see past his invisibility. He says he has revealed many life experiences through the book. He has spoken for people with similar plight and experiences.