Seeing Cults in Invisible Man

In chapter 14 of Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, the narrator (whom I will be calling IM, short for Invisible Man) joins an organization called The Brotherhood with the purpose of making social and political change as a speaker for them. During his time in The Brotherhood, IM learned that the organization might not have been what it seemed, and was using/manipulating him. The organization appears fairly cultish (i.e., I believe it is a cult). To support this contention, I will be using an article from Oprah Daily written by Samantha Vincenty about the major warning signs of a cult, and will analyze The Brotherhood through the lens of these criteria (https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/relationships-love/a33648485/signs-of-a-cult/). Vincenty states that there are 4 main types of manipulation used by cults to brainwash individuals: Behavior control, Information control, Thought control, and Emotional control (the acronym is BITE). I will focus this post on informational control and thought control. 

To start, The Brotherhood uses Informational control (i.e., deception, insulation, and propaganda; Vincenty). IM was told that he could be one of the next black leaders like Fredrick Douglas, but in reality he was just there to make the organization seem more inclusive. This underlying motive is revealed when an assistant named Emma speaks to the leader of The Brotherhood (Brother Jack), saying, “don't you think he should be a little blacker?” Seeking to conceal this true motive, Brother Jack responds, "Shhh, don't be a damn fool … We're not interested in his looks but in his voice.” This is a good example of something to look out for when diagnosing a group as a cult. The very pretenses under which IM joined The Brotherhood were lies concocted by the leader in order to get IM to join, so that the organization would look more racially diverse (which would help them to recruit more members and/or spread the social change message of the organization, even though the organization was run by white men). Vincenty acknowledges this duplicitous use of pretense as a hallmark of a cult, saying “A destructive cult is dishonest from the beginning.”

The Brotherhood further establishes itself as a cult by using Thought control (i.e., hijacking identity and stopping critical thinking; Vincenty). When IM finally decides to join the group, he is given a new name and identity (a common thought control tactic; Vincenty), as well as new living quarters. IM is not allowed to answer to his old name and is told he will be known all around the country by his new name. This is an example of thought control, because the organization completely controls IM’s livelihood and his identity is based in the organization (essentially surrendering himself to The Brotherhood). Just like one would train a dog, IM is positively reinforced through making pleasurable associations with his new name. Brother Jack tells IM, “Now for some pleasure, … And remember your new identity,” right before IM was pushed into a room full of people who happily greeted him (this is Brother Jack trying to condition IM into thinking of his choice to join the organization and correlating it to joyful and warm emotions). Brother Jack also attempts to undermine critical thinking (Vincenty), by refusing to answer basic questions. For example, when the man with the pipe asks Brother Jack to be more concrete with his statements, Brother Jack vaguely responds, “Please don’t interrupt,” and declares that clarification will only come “In due time … In due time” (this follows Vincenty’s idea of using “loaded language and clichés which constrict knowledge, stop critical thoughts, and reduce complexities”).

Beyond Informational control and Thought control, Vincenty also describes cults as using Behavior control (i.e., controlling people’s food, sleep, money, and the company they keep, using rules and regulations), and Emotional control (i.e., labeling some emotions as wrong or evil, blocking emotions of homesickness and anger, and instilling fear of the world outside the cult). Can you think of additional examples of The Brotherhood doing any of these things?