This quotation comes from chapter fourteen of Invisible Man, right after IM gets a job with the Brotherhood. IM is speaking-- or rather thinking-- about his new job and having to tell Mary about leaving. Many elements of this paragraph exhibit IM’s thought process and his character while simultaneously serving as an example of the overarching theme of questioning one’s own identity/motives. Immediately after receiving his job, IM questions the validity of his new colleagues by comparing them to the trustees from the college. He also then beings to criticize Mary for her personality and ideology, and assumes that Mary would not understand his need to move soon after. These quick, negative judgements are then counteracted with words of praise
