Final answer:
In Invisible Man, the protagonist's dream highlights his inner conflict between conformity and identity, symbolized by his grandfather's appearance, while his decision to deliver the speech despite humiliation underscores his determination and the troubling societal expectations of black individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The significance of the protagonist's dream in Invisible Man is to showcase the confusion and realization he experiences about his identity and place in society. The appearance of the protagonist's grandfather symbolizes the weight of past generations' struggles and the contradictory advice he receives about how to navigate a world filled with racial tensions. The dream serves as a moment of internal conflict for the protagonist, where he grapples with the expectations of conformity and the desire to assert his own identity.
The reason the protagonist still gives his speech even after being humiliated lies in his determination to succeed within the constraints of the society he lives in. Despite the degrading circumstances he faces at the battle royale, his speech is an important step towards his goal of earning a scholarship and obtaining an education. It reveals his willingness to endure hardship for the promise of advancement, and it also highlights the difficult choices faced by black individuals who are trying to navigate a system that is inherently biased against them.