Invisible Man: Chapter 21 Summary & Analysis

The narrator returns to the Brotherhood offices in Harlem. He is too heartbroken to tell the members of Clifton’s death. He wonders what Clifton must have thought when they saw each other earlier that day. The narrator regrets his impulsive display of temper.

The narrator examines the Sambo doll again and is filled with deep loathing. He wonders how the doll works, and quickly discovers a nearly invisible thread that let Clifton control the doll from a distance. The narrator is filled with guilt, thinking that perhaps he could have gotten into a fight with Clifton and saved him from the police officer.

The narrator still can’t make sense of Clifton’s decision or his death. However, he decides to organize a public funeral for Clifton. The narrator hopes that the funeral will help reclaim Clifton’s positive legacy. He also hopes that the funeral will re-energize the community and attract members back into its ranks.

Several members of Clifton’s Youth Brigade have heard the news of Clifton’s death. The young men and women are overcome with grief. The narrator tries to raise the outrage of the young members, but they are simply stunned by the news.

The narrator tries to call headquarters again but receives no answer. He decides to go ahead planning Clifton’s funeral by himself, throwing himself into the work. Collections are made and meetings are organized.

The funeral is held two days later, and is designed to attract the maximum number of people. The funeral begins with a slow procession down the street, as the mourners carry black flags and banners. A band accompanies the procession. Soon, all of Harlem gathers to watch the spectacle of the procession. The narrator is unsure why the people have come out to watch, but wonders if perhaps Clifton’s death is an opportunity for the people to come together and “express their protestations.”

A man in the procession begins singing an old spiritual called “There’s Many a Thousand Gone.” A euphonium in the band joins him, and soon the entire procession bands together in song. The narrator recognizes that “something deep had shaken the crowd,” something stemming from the song. The funeral procession reaches its final destination, an open park in Harlem.

A huge crowd gathers in the park. The narrator realizes that he is supposed to give a speech, but finds that he has no words appropriate for the occasion. The narrator becomes angry at the expectation of the crowd, and begins by telling the crowd to go home. He says that he has nothing to tell them, and that they know the facts of Clifton’s death. However, the narrator’s command quickly becomes the refrain of a passionate speech he gives celebrating Clifton. He thinks that Brother Jack wouldn’t approve of the speech’s political content, but that he has no choice but to continue.

The narrator concludes his speech on a note of grief and bitterness. Sitting down, he realizes that he has failed in his political aim. However, the crowd is clearly affected by the speech. The funeral ends and Tod Clifton is buried.

The narrator walks home, exhausted from his effort. He still has hopes of organizing the crowd’s energy into political action. The narrator walks through a Harlem market and feels the tension from the funeral in the air. He resolves not to let this opportunity go to waste.