Music in Invisible Man 3B

Chapter 5 Quote:   "Oh, and the sad sound of weeping bugles!" (pg. 131)   Context:  Reverend Homer A. Barbee is speaking at the university on founders day. Motif Analysis:  The sound of the bugles is how Reverend Homer describes the sadness when the founder dies. He personifies the instrument into women weeping to further instill emotion and motivation into his audience.

Quote:  "I know all about that too; ole doc's been 'buked and scorned and all of that. I don't just sing about it in chapel. I know about it." Context:  Dr. Bledsoe is talking to TIM about his punishments for not dealing with Mr. Norton properly and Bledsoe had just stated that nothing is worse for a black man than to be humiliated by white folk. Motif Analysis:  The motif of music in this chapter is present through Bledsoe talking about himself singing in the chapel to the students.

Quote: "The one who called himself a composer was banging away the one wild piece he seemed to know on the out-of-tune piano, striking the keyboard with fists and elbows and filling in other effects in a bass voice that moaned like a bear in agony." (Ellison 85) Context: In Golden Day, Supercargo has just been knocked out. As a result, the crazy veterans go wild in the bar and a "composer" starts jamming out on the piano. Motif Analysis: the motif of music is present in Chapter 3 through the crazy veteran playing the piano.

Quote: "Down the long length of the wide hall I heard someone unseen skipping down the stairs singing." (Ellison 105) Context: TIM has decided to go back into the building where Dr. Bledsoe and Mr. Norton are after he has been told to go to his dorm. Once in the building he hears the singing and decides to do as he was told. Motif Analysis:  The motif of music is present through the person singing in the hallway.

Chapter 2 Quote:   "Oh, long green stretch of campus, Oh, quiet songs at dusk, Oh, moon that kissed the steeple and flooded the perfumed nights ... what more than a pleasant, time-killing dream? Context:  TIM is observing his "new" college and admiring each minute detail. Motif Analysis:  The Invisible Man is describing the overall ambiance and noting that even the subtle sounds of church bells chiming attribute to the overall harmony of the college, this shows that music plays a key role in inspiring TIM.

Chapter 1 Quote:  "A clarinet was vibrating sensuously and the men were standing up and moving eagerly forward." (Ellison 19) Context:  TIM is in the main ballroom of a hotel to take part in the battle royal between his schoolmates as part of the entertainment for the town's big shots. When he enters the ballroom he hears a clarinet playing. Motif Analysis:  The motif of music is shown through the clarinet playing in the background.

Prologue Quote:  "I'd like to hear five recordings of Louis Armstrong playing and singing "What Did I Do to Be so Black and Blue"-all at the same time." (Ellison 8) Context:  TIM is siting in his hole smoking a reefer that was handed to him when he asked for a cigarette. He is going through all the thoughts in his mind while he is really high. Motif Analysis:  The motif of music is shown through his augmented thoughts as a result of listening to music stoned.