On a bright and clear morning, the narrator sets out to meet Mr. Emerson, hopeful that the day holds promise. As he walks, he momentarily reflects on life back at college and becomes convinced that something good is on the horizon. Near the street, he notices a man pushing a cart filled with blue papers while singing an old blues tune. The song uses animal imagery to describe the body parts of a beloved.
When the narrator draws closer, the man asks him an odd question: “Is you got the dog?” The narrator hesitates, unsure how to respond. The man presses, implying the narrator should know the meaning of the phrase since he’s from the South. Annoyed, the narrator eventually declares he doesn’t have “the dog.” The man chuckles, explaining he thought the narrator was “denying” him, before adding that maybe the dog has him instead. He muses about his own struggles, claiming “the bear” has its claws in him and referring to Harlem as both a “bear’s den” and “the best place in the world for you and me.”
Curious, the narrator asks about the stack of blue papers. The man explains they are real blueprints, though he admits he’s not a builder. Plans always change, he adds, to which the narrator sternly replies, “You have to stick to the plan.” The man introduces himself as Peter Wheatstraw, “the Devil’s only son-in-law,” his playful banter growing on the narrator despite its eccentricity. The encounter ends with Peter sauntering off, his voice trailing in song.
As the narrator reflects, he realises he’s heard such banter throughout his life but never appreciated its complexity. For the first time, he feels a swell of pride for his culture. Entering a nearby drugstore for breakfast, he’s offered a plate of pork chops—an unmistakably Southern dish. Resentful of being stereotyped as Southern, he opts for a plain meal of juice, toast, and coffee. He quietly resolves to reinvent himself when he returns to college. When he leaves, the narrator notices porks chops being served to a white, blond man.
Arriving at Mr Emerson’s office, the narrator finds himself in an opulent room adorned with a huge map and exotic trinkets from around the world. The narrator assumes that the business must be an importing company. A young man with blond hair and glasses introduces himself as Emerson’s son and asks the narrator’s purpose. After explaining his appointment, the narrator hands him his letter. While young Emerson with the letter, the narrator continues to examine the room. He notices Chinese statues and an aviary of tropical birds. Some items in the room behind the narrator reminds him of relics from slavery times found in his college museum.
When young Emerson returns, he probes the narrator about his goals and aspirations. The narrator explains his desire to secure a job and return to school and expresses his admiration for Dr. Bledsoe. Young Emerson suggests that the narrator consider transferring schools but the narrator says reluctantly that he has never thought of it.
When young Emerson asks what his career goal is, he replies that he aspires to be Dr Bledsoe’s assistant. He asks the narrator how many letters of introduction he was given to which the narrator tells him seven. Suddenly, young Emerson changes the conversation’s tone. He asks whether two strangers can speak with total honesty. Puzzled, the narrator listens as Emerson warns him of a “tyranny” hidden in his request for a job. The narrator grows frustrated, demanding to see Mr. Emerson. At last, young Emerson admits he is the son of the trustee and confesses that the letter contains instructions to mislead the narrator.
Young Emerson tries to offer advice but the narrator is unwilling to listen. He tells the narrator not to go back to the South as there is more freedom in New York City. He tells the narrator that it would be best to forget about going back to the college. The narrator begins to get angry and demand to see Mr Emerson. Young Emerson then reveals to the narrator that Mr Emerson is his father.
Unable to convince the narrator, young Emerson opens the letter, the narrator reads it and is horrified. Dr Bledsoe, the man he idolises, has betrayed him, writing to ensure the narrator would not receive the help he sought. Young Emerson tries to offer the narrator a job but the narrator turns him down. The narrator is disillusioned by the entire situation. He wonders if young Emerson, just like everyone else has his own agenda and wants to manipulate him as well. At home, the narrator is filled with bitterness towards Dr Bledsoe. He begins to plot his revenge. He eventually calls Liberty Paints where he is told to report to work the next morning.
The Narrator rediscovers his roots: Peter Wheatstraw’s whimsical banter and blues are steeped in the traditions of black culture and reminds the narrator of his heritage. The narrator is unable to return the blues man’s banter and becomes angry at what to him seems like silliness. “The dog” and “the bear” are expressions for hardship and trouble. The blues man indicates that Harlem is both a trying place and a haven for black people. For the first time, the narrator begins to feel a deep connection to his own roots. He appreciates the musicality and cleverness of the Southern style of speech.
The Blueprints as a Symbol: The blueprints represent the myriad dreams and plans that go unrealised. Wheatstraw collects them, making him a vessel of both past intentions and future actions. Wheatstraw’s collection of them symbolises adaptability, a trait the narrator has yet to embrace as he clings to rigid ambitions.
Appearance vs Reality: The narrator is still in search of himself and his identity in New York. He does not want to be automatically perceived as a Southern. However, his decision to change his breakfast order seems to be a superficial way to avoid the stereotype type that he is deemed to face. He begins to understand the difference between appearance and reality. The white, blond man who orders the pork chops – the dish he so desperately avoids – makes reality all the more complex.
The Role of Young Emerson: Young Emerson is the first white elite in New York to have an honest conversation with the narrator. He seems to be truly interested in the narrator and his ambitions but he seems to be sceptical about the narrator's attachment to Dr Bledsoe and the black college. Young Emerson introduces the narrator to the harsh realities of betrayal and the fallibility of idols by letting the narrator read Dr Bledsoe’s letter himself. Though he tries to steer the narrator away from the resulting disillusionment by offering him a job, the narrator turns him down. He is in a state of shock as this revelation has shaken his entire worldview. However, as he journeys home, he begins to confront this disillusionment. His imagination of ways to plot his revenge suggests that he is beginning to let go of his attachment to Dr Bledsoe.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
What does Peter Wheatstraw’s banter represent to the narrator?
A. A challenge to his identity
B. An expression of Southern ignorance
C. A rediscovery of his cultural heritage
D. A symbol of resistance against oppression
What does Peter Wheatstraw mean when he says, “the bear has its claws in him”?
A. He is talking about his physical health.
B. He is referring to the hardships and struggles of life.
C. He is accusing someone of betrayal.
D. He is describing the narrator’s future challenges.
What do the blueprints collected by Peter Wheatstraw symbolise?
A. Failed construction projects
B. Unfulfilled dreams and adaptability
C. The narrator’s rigid ambitions
D. The complexities of black culture
What is the main purpose of Young Emerson’s honesty with the narrator?
A. To manipulate the narrator
B. To betray the narrator on his father’s behalf
C. To help the narrator realise the truth about Dr Bledsoe
D. To convince the narrator to stay in the South
ANSWERS: 1. C 2. B 3. B 4. C
Theory Questions
Discuss the narrator’s relationship with his roots as expressed in this chapter.
Explain how the narrator’s reaction to Southern stereotypes reveals his struggle with identity. Provide examples from the text.
Compare and contrast the narrator’s perception of Dr Bledsoe before and after reading the letter. How does this shift affect his character development?
Discuss how the themes of cultural identity and adaptability are intertwined in this chapter of Invisible Man and relate them to the overall narrative.
