Invisible Man

by

Ralph Ellison

Mary Rambo Character Analysis

Mary is a motherly figure for the narrator, a caring woman who provides food and shelter in the narrator’s time of need. The narrator feels indebted to Mary, despite finding her bothersome from time to time. Mary also has high ideals, telling the narrator that whatever he does, he should be a “credit to the race.”
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Mary Rambo Character Timeline in Invisible Man

The timeline below shows where the character Mary Rambo appears in Invisible Man. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 12
Race and Racism Theme Icon
Identity and Invisibility Theme Icon
A large black woman named Mary Rambo asks the narrator what’s wrong. He replies that he’s just weak, and tells her he’s... (full context)
Identity and Invisibility Theme Icon
Power and Self-Interest Theme Icon
The narrator awakens in Mary Rambo ’s house. Mary is across from the bed, reading the paper. Mary tells the narrator... (full context)
Race and Racism Theme Icon
Identity and Invisibility Theme Icon
The narrator moves into Mary Rambo’s house, which he finds pleasant except for Mary’s constant talk about “leadership and responsibility.” The compensation money from the factory quickly runs out,... (full context)
Chapter 13
Identity and Invisibility Theme Icon
Power and Self-Interest Theme Icon
...thinks of the eviction again, imagining what it would be like if it happened to Mary Rambo . Knowing that Mary couldn’t be so helpless, his spirits are lifted as he returns... (full context)
Chapter 25
Race and Racism Theme Icon
Ambition and Disillusionment Theme Icon
...a mounted police officer. The narrator tells himself that he has to make it to Mary’s house. (full context)
Race and Racism Theme Icon
Identity and Invisibility Theme Icon
Ambition and Disillusionment Theme Icon
...total darkness. He feels tired, and thinks to himself that he should have gone to Mary’s. The narrator falls asleep. (full context)