I believe that this is a symbolic representation of Clifton's newfound invisibility. Like he said during the scene with Ras, he has "fallen outside of history" and become something new. I interpreted the doll as what the people see as Clifton: just another black person who entertains. This fits the narrator's description of invisibility from the prologue almost perfectly, and ironically, it is the narrator who doesn't notice Clifton's invisibility. The smirk that Clifton gives to the narrator is a mocking smile because Clifton has finally realized his invisibility and he knows that the narrator is still trapped without this knowledge. Clifton has put forth this doll that people, including the narrator, see and by making this new "persona", he has effectively made himself invisible. Clifton has become his own puppet master.
Was this scene meant to be a learning experience for the narrator? As seen in many scenes before, the narrator gathers the most useful information from unexpected sources and perhaps this is the beginning of the end of the narrator's story of his recognition of invisibility.
I think that the narrator realizing that Clifton has become truly invisible is primarily meant as a learning moment. It's not long after this that the narrator adopts his grandfather's way of thinking and begins playing into white people's hands while still retaining his pride and personality. Comparing this to the prologue, I find it strange how Clifton and the narrator both adopt invisibility in such different ways. I wonder if Clifton was secretly going for the grandfather's approach. Was he purposely selling the dolls in order maintain face but keep his thoughts for himself? I find it more plausible that Clifton was more aimed towards Bledsoe's ideal of solely focusing on the monetary aspect of life, but it is an interesting comparison. As for the narrator's realization of invisibility, when he truly understands it, he seems to become just like the vet: extremely witty, and appearing to be insane to those who don't understand him. Which do you think is the best approach/reaction to invisibility?
ReplyDeleteI feel as though this scene is more of enlightening experience more than a learning moment. As you said this is the beginning of the end of the narrator's story; this is where the narrator finally sees others who are invisible, not just himself. Clifton is fitting into the mold set by the narrator's grandfather and after the narrator sees Clifton and death, he is more aware of other invisible people. Most notably the boys wearing zoot suits. So this is a definitely learning experience but I still see it as a time where the narrator's eyes are opened up.
ReplyDeleteThis makes a lot of sense to me. Clifton's "knowing" smile also seems to prompt the narrator (or the reader) to contemplate any possible connections between the dancing puppet and the narrator in his role as a Brotherhood leader--almost like, "Does this look familiar at all?" He starts working in all the subtle references to Brotherhood rhetoric after he sees the narrator, and his references all seem very pointed and deliberate. From his new vantage "outside history," perhaps the narrator's "strings" are only more visible.
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