Motif Study - Invisible Man by Ayesha Chowdhury https://padlet.com/ayeshac19153/egdqmst9s1o2 Made with a bold sensibility en-us 2017-10-23 15:49:36 UTC 2025-12-13 13:06:58 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Lightdecrease.png Record Player ayeshac19153 https://padlet.com/ayeshac19153/egdqmst9s1o2/wish/199642574 Powers of motif: In the beginning of the novel with the record, “What did I do to be so black and blue” essentially encompasses a motif which suggests the narrator's identity and emotions through music. Repetitively using blues music and jazz which displays the narrator's race and cultural roots, in addition, the blues specifically depicts the melancholy he feels. Records that the narrator references throughout the novel show his emotions and how they reflect upon his surroundings and his view of himself. 
Thematic implications: Music has served to express complex emotions which can be heard or simply express joy or sorrow, and has done so very efficaciously. Music has been a tool of communication in this way, helping one man to understand another or just to feel complete through these rhythms. 
Broad connections:  Overall connection with the Record player would relate to the use of blues the author writes in; the blues present the duality of hopefulness and hopelessness the narrator journeys through. 

]]> 2017-10-23 15:50:10 UTC https://padlet.com/ayeshac19153/egdqmst9s1o2/wish/199642574 Briefcase ayeshac19153 https://padlet.com/ayeshac19153/egdqmst9s1o2/wish/199642677 Powers of motif: The briefcase is given to the Invisible Man in the beginning of the novel and is carried with him throughout the rest of his journeys. It holds pieces of his past and things he cannot seem to get rid of. 
Thematic implications: The briefcase represents the narrators past and holds all the phases of his identity. We see him unable to get rid of the parts of his identity that others label him as, shown by the coin bank. His two main identities, a student and a part of the brotherhood are both held within this briefcase.
Broad connections: In the end of the book we see the Invisible Man begin to burn documents from his briefcase, beginning with his high school diploma. He is attempting to erase his old identity once he realized how much it was influenced and controlled by other people ]]> 2017-10-23 15:50:20 UTC https://padlet.com/ayeshac19153/egdqmst9s1o2/wish/199642677 Sambo doll ayeshac19153 https://padlet.com/ayeshac19153/egdqmst9s1o2/wish/199642744 Powers of motif: The Sambo doll is first introduced during the Battle Royale when the narrator is called one during his fight. The doll is mentioned in the book when characters have no control over their own actions or bodies. 
Thematic implications: This doll represents how the narrator is constantly being controlled by others, whether it's the superintendent, Dr Bledsoe or brother Jack. His actions and words are not his own.  
broad connections: Overall the doll embodies the narrators struggle of trying to find the balance between pleasing others and doing what he wants to do with his life. ]]> 2017-10-23 15:50:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ayeshac19153/egdqmst9s1o2/wish/199642744 OBJECT MOTIF ayeshac19153 https://padlet.com/ayeshac19153/egdqmst9s1o2/wish/199649955 Objects throughout the book connect the narrator to his own personal identity as well as how others identify him with their own biases or beliefs. ]]> 2017-10-23 16:01:46 UTC https://padlet.com/ayeshac19153/egdqmst9s1o2/wish/199649955 Examples - Record Player Motif ayeshac19153 https://padlet.com/ayeshac19153/egdqmst9s1o2/wish/199821153 Pick Poor Robin Clean]]> 2017-10-24 01:05:05 UTC https://padlet.com/ayeshac19153/egdqmst9s1o2/wish/199821153