Although the narrator seems out for the count in chapter 12, he gets some TLC, rest, and magnificent sweet potatoes in chapter 13 and regains his faculties in a remarkable way. (The imagery involved in the sweet potato passage made me change my yam stance; I thought I didn't like them, but I think I'll need to try them again. Ellison would have been an amazing writer of menus. Is anyone else hungry after reading that part?)
*What is the rhetorical purpose of the "spoiled cream" complexions of the women that the narrator sees as he careens out of the subway?
*How does the syntax of the first three pages contribute to the narrator's sense of disorientation?
*What is the rhetorical effect of the syntax on page 256, as the narrator returns to Men's House?
*What purpose does Mary serve for the narrator?
*How is alliteration used to express the anxiety that the narrator feels on page 259?
*Yumminess aside, what is the metaphorical value of the sweet potatoes?
*What is the pupose of the emancipation letter among the old couple's belongings?
*Why is the narrator ambivalent about attacking the men who are evicting the old couple?
*What is the narrator's rhetorical argument as he addresses the crowd?
*How does the man in the cafe interpet the narrator's sentiments incorrectly?
Monday, July 30, 2007
Chapters 10 & 11: The Whitewashing of America?
Okay, these chapters tend to be a bit confusing. There is a goldmine of symbolic meaning, so if you try to read into pretty close to everything, you're doing your job well here. Try not to get too focused on plot here- symbolism is the name of the game. Think of these questions as you read:
*Explain the extended metaphor of Liberty Paints.
*How are Lucius Brockway and Dr. Bledsoe similar?
*What literary devices contribute to the sense of disorientation on pages 231 & 232?
*What is the rhetorical purpose of the conversation thaat the narrator overhears on pages 236 and 237?
*How is the narrator different after he leaves the hospital?
*Explain the extended metaphor of Liberty Paints.
*How are Lucius Brockway and Dr. Bledsoe similar?
*What literary devices contribute to the sense of disorientation on pages 231 & 232?
*What is the rhetorical purpose of the conversation thaat the narrator overhears on pages 236 and 237?
*How is the narrator different after he leaves the hospital?
Chapters 8-9: Go North, Young Man!
*What is ironic about the narrator's discovery of a Bible in his room at Men's House?
*What is ironic about the difference between the way blacks could speak in the North as opposed to the South?
*What is the significance of the image of the Statue of Liberty with her torch "almost lost in the fog"?
*What is unusual about the narrator's description of the pictures in Mr. Bate's office?
*What does the vendor mean when he asks the narrator if he "got the dog"?
*What is the purpose of the drawn-out conversation between the narrator and Mr. Emerson's son?
*How would you describe the tone of Dr. Bledsoe's letter?
*What extended metaphor does the narrator use to describe the imagined conversation between the elder Mr. Emerson and Dr. Bledsoe?
*What is ironic about the difference between the way blacks could speak in the North as opposed to the South?
*What is the significance of the image of the Statue of Liberty with her torch "almost lost in the fog"?
*What is unusual about the narrator's description of the pictures in Mr. Bate's office?
*What does the vendor mean when he asks the narrator if he "got the dog"?
*What is the purpose of the drawn-out conversation between the narrator and Mr. Emerson's son?
*How would you describe the tone of Dr. Bledsoe's letter?
*What extended metaphor does the narrator use to describe the imagined conversation between the elder Mr. Emerson and Dr. Bledsoe?
Codebreakers Wanted! Making Symbols "Visible"
We had an excellent discussion going regarding symbolism in Beloved, and I'm curious to know what you think of the symbols and motifs in Invisible Man. Some are listed that occur throughout the novel below, but feel free to comment on others that you've observed as well.
*Blindness (in general, and Bledsoe's glass eye later)
*Invisibility- why does the narrator continue to claim that he's invisible? Why do you think he remains unnamed to the reader throughout the novel? How is his "invisibility" related to his identity?
*the Liberty Paints Plant (and the way in which the Optic White paint is created, etc.)
*the Sambo doll
*the leg irons (contrast Bledsoe's with the one given to the narrator)
*the coin bank
*the taboo of interracial relationships
*masks
Other general questions to consider: Why is it significant that the narrator goes underground to steal "power" in the prologue? What political orientation/mode of thought does Bledsoe represent? Ras the Exhorter? the Brotherhood?
*Blindness (in general, and Bledsoe's glass eye later)
*Invisibility- why does the narrator continue to claim that he's invisible? Why do you think he remains unnamed to the reader throughout the novel? How is his "invisibility" related to his identity?
*the Liberty Paints Plant (and the way in which the Optic White paint is created, etc.)
*the Sambo doll
*the leg irons (contrast Bledsoe's with the one given to the narrator)
*the coin bank
*the taboo of interracial relationships
*masks
Other general questions to consider: Why is it significant that the narrator goes underground to steal "power" in the prologue? What political orientation/mode of thought does Bledsoe represent? Ras the Exhorter? the Brotherhood?
Friday, July 13, 2007
Chapters 6 and Beyond: When One Door Closes...
Please post your responses to chapters 6 and beyond here for now. Because of the number of posts, you will have to select "older posts" to comment on the prologue or look at anything Beloved related. We're leaving for a family vacation tomorrow, and I'll be out of email contact and unable to update the blog until July 24th. If you need to contact me, send me a quick email and I'll reply as soon as we're back. Little Lucy, the 25 pound person who is my constant companion, sends her regards- I think that's what she said.
Chapter 6:
*Describe Dr.Bledsoe's posture as the narrator goes to his meeting.
*Why is Bledsoe so angry with the narrator?
*How are Bledsoe's ideas about black/white relations similar to those of the narrator's grandfather?
*How is repetition used to show the narrator's shock when Dr. Bledsoe calls him a "nigger"?
*How is Bledsoe's handshake an example of foreshadowing?
*What do you think of Bledsoe's decision? Was it fair? If yes, explain. If not, what were the alternatives?
*What advice would you give the narrator at this point?
*What do you think of the narrator's decisions and actions so far?
*How would you characterize Bledsoe? Will he be a help or a hinderance to the narrator as the novel progresses?
Chapter 7:
*What device appears in the vet's advice to the narrator, after he tells him to "come out of the fog?"
*What does it mean when the vet tells the narrator to be his own father?
*What allusion is used to describe the narrator's arrival in Harlem?
Chapter 6:
*Describe Dr.Bledsoe's posture as the narrator goes to his meeting.
*Why is Bledsoe so angry with the narrator?
*How are Bledsoe's ideas about black/white relations similar to those of the narrator's grandfather?
*How is repetition used to show the narrator's shock when Dr. Bledsoe calls him a "nigger"?
*How is Bledsoe's handshake an example of foreshadowing?
*What do you think of Bledsoe's decision? Was it fair? If yes, explain. If not, what were the alternatives?
*What advice would you give the narrator at this point?
*What do you think of the narrator's decisions and actions so far?
*How would you characterize Bledsoe? Will he be a help or a hinderance to the narrator as the novel progresses?
Chapter 7:
*What device appears in the vet's advice to the narrator, after he tells him to "come out of the fog?"
*What does it mean when the vet tells the narrator to be his own father?
*What allusion is used to describe the narrator's arrival in Harlem?
Chapter Five: The Sermon
*What is the rhetorical argument behind the comparison of the moon to a "white man's bloodshot eye" on page 110?
*What is the tone of the two paragraphs on pages 110 and 111, beginning with "Into the doors and into the soft lights..."?
*What is the rhetorical effect of the italicized passage?
*What phrase does the narrator use to describe Bledsoe's position relative to the trustees around him? Why is this significant?
*How is allusion used during Rev. Barbee's sermon?
*How is simile used to express the effect of the Founder's death?
*How are sound devices connected to the word "black" in the latter part of Rev. Barbee's sermon?
*What is the rhetorical effect of Rev. Barbee's blindness?
*What images does the narrator see as he leaves the chapel?
More "solemn masks" on page 111, this time alluding to the students. Why are these "masks" necessary, do you think?
Wow, Barbee is quite a speaker- beautiful oration- inspiring, except for the constant creepy cult vibe...I agree with the narrator that Bledsoe is not going to be receptive to his case after that sermon.
*What is the tone of the two paragraphs on pages 110 and 111, beginning with "Into the doors and into the soft lights..."?
*What is the rhetorical effect of the italicized passage?
*What phrase does the narrator use to describe Bledsoe's position relative to the trustees around him? Why is this significant?
*How is allusion used during Rev. Barbee's sermon?
*How is simile used to express the effect of the Founder's death?
*How are sound devices connected to the word "black" in the latter part of Rev. Barbee's sermon?
*What is the rhetorical effect of Rev. Barbee's blindness?
*What images does the narrator see as he leaves the chapel?
More "solemn masks" on page 111, this time alluding to the students. Why are these "masks" necessary, do you think?
Wow, Barbee is quite a speaker- beautiful oration- inspiring, except for the constant creepy cult vibe...I agree with the narrator that Bledsoe is not going to be receptive to his case after that sermon.
Chapter 4: Feelin' the Heat
*How does the imagery on pages 98 and 99 belie the narrator's inner tension?
*Why does the narrator hate Trublood and the people at the Golden Day?
*What is the effect of comparing the campus building to "an old plantation manor house" on page 100?
*How has Dr. Bledsoe achieved power in society?
*Explain the mirror and aquarium metaphors on page 102.
Hmm, the "only identity [he] had ever known" is tied inextricably to the school, and he "believed in the principles of the Founder with all [his] heart and soul." Sounds a bit like a cult, does it not? Although he desperately wants to stay, maybe it would be better for him to go...This is probably what scholars are talking about when they say that the narrator isn't speaking for Ellison- Ellison is much more savvy and less naive than this guy. I do feel sorry for him, though...
Great mask metaphor describing Bledsoe's face on page 102- this idea of masking one's emotions will come up again.
*Why does the narrator hate Trublood and the people at the Golden Day?
*What is the effect of comparing the campus building to "an old plantation manor house" on page 100?
*How has Dr. Bledsoe achieved power in society?
*Explain the mirror and aquarium metaphors on page 102.
Hmm, the "only identity [he] had ever known" is tied inextricably to the school, and he "believed in the principles of the Founder with all [his] heart and soul." Sounds a bit like a cult, does it not? Although he desperately wants to stay, maybe it would be better for him to go...This is probably what scholars are talking about when they say that the narrator isn't speaking for Ellison- Ellison is much more savvy and less naive than this guy. I do feel sorry for him, though...
Great mask metaphor describing Bledsoe's face on page 102- this idea of masking one's emotions will come up again.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Chapter 3: Not-So-Good Times at The Golden Day
*What is the significance of the wide range of professions that the insane men at the Golden Day used to practice?
*How do the apocalyptic ravings of one of the patients serve to foreshadow the future?
*Why do the patients find that kicking Supercargo is therapeutic?
*Why does the veteran call the narrator invisible?
*How do the apocalyptic ravings of one of the patients serve to foreshadow the future?
*Why do the patients find that kicking Supercargo is therapeutic?
*Why does the veteran call the narrator invisible?
Chapter 2: A Disasterous Road Trip
*How is the road in the first paragraph used as a metaphor?
*What is the rhetorical purpose of the Founder's stance?
*How are diction and syntax used in the description of the trustees' arrival at Founder's Day?
*How are allusions used in the initial description of Mr. Norton?
*How is repetition used in the chapter?
*What makes the sleeping farmer "the kind of white man [that the narrator fears]"?
*How is juxtaposition used in the conversation that the narrator and Mr. Norton have with Jim Trueblood?
*What is the tone that Trueblood uses to tell his story? What do you make of this?
*Why do you think Trueblood receives more charity from the white community than from his own?
*Why do you think Mr. Norton gives Trueblood $100?
*What is the rhetorical purpose of the Founder's stance?
*How are diction and syntax used in the description of the trustees' arrival at Founder's Day?
*How are allusions used in the initial description of Mr. Norton?
*How is repetition used in the chapter?
*What makes the sleeping farmer "the kind of white man [that the narrator fears]"?
*How is juxtaposition used in the conversation that the narrator and Mr. Norton have with Jim Trueblood?
*What is the tone that Trueblood uses to tell his story? What do you make of this?
*Why do you think Trueblood receives more charity from the white community than from his own?
*Why do you think Mr. Norton gives Trueblood $100?
Chapter 1: Possible Prompts
I'll be posting some questions from the AP guide mixed in with some from my brain for each chapter. Feel free to comment on these questions or share your own insights, interpretations, questions, etc. with us. Post all things relating to Chapter 1 here.
*How is allusion used in paragraph 2?
*Explain the advice that the narrator's grandfather gives him.
*What is the significance of the narrator viewing himself as a "potential Booker T. Washington"?
*What is the effect of the images of the white men?
*How is the imagery in the main paragraph on pg. 23 ironic?
*How does this chapter show the limits of assimilation?
*How is allusion used in paragraph 2?
*Explain the advice that the narrator's grandfather gives him.
*What is the significance of the narrator viewing himself as a "potential Booker T. Washington"?
*What is the effect of the images of the white men?
*How is the imagery in the main paragraph on pg. 23 ironic?
*How does this chapter show the limits of assimilation?
Ellison's Style, Setting, Themes, Plot Structure, and All That Jazz!
STYLE
If you want to get a sense of Ellison's style, listen to some good Jazz music- preferably nothing involving John Tesh- Louis Armstrong would be a much better choice. Ellison has the poetic flow of Jazz, with repeating themes within the composition. Musicians of the class- is theme the correct word here? Help me out. He was very much inspired by the body of literature written during the Harlem Renaissance, and his style shows this influence. The musicality of his writing is also revealed in his love of sound devices, such as alliteration and anaphora (repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a sentence); he uses these as well as similes and metaphors to illustrate some of his significant points/ideas.
SOME THEMES
Alienation of African Americans in a "free" society
How race is used as a tool of power- on multiple levels
The consequences of racism- external and internalized
Double consciousness
Hypocrisy and corruption in society
SETTING
Harlem in the 1930's. Descriptions of housing, public transportaion, and working conditions, the college the narrator attends (as well as the trip around the city and the Golden Day) accurately reflect the time period. Ellision also illustrates problems in racial relations of the time period, such as: the taboo of white-black romantic relationships, black power figures are perceived by other blacks as being in a conspiracy with whites, stereotypical dolls and images of blacks, advantages and disadvantages of the Communist part in American (Brotherhood), and conflicts between the assimilationists and separatists within the black community.
PLOT STRUCTURE
Invisible Man is a picaresque novel- characteristics include: a first person narrator who is somewhat naive, a sympathetic anti-hero. The novel is told in episodes and flashbacks, while the narrator's experiences take him to many locations and levels of society. Because the narrator is naive, the reader must infer the author's social commentary. Other examples of picaresque novels: Cervantes' Don Quixote, Henry Fielding's A History of Tom Jones, Voltaire's Candide, Defoe's Moll Flanders, Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Kerouac's On the Road, Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye.
*The background information is adapted from an AP guide to the novel. Hope this helps!
If you want to get a sense of Ellison's style, listen to some good Jazz music- preferably nothing involving John Tesh- Louis Armstrong would be a much better choice. Ellison has the poetic flow of Jazz, with repeating themes within the composition. Musicians of the class- is theme the correct word here? Help me out. He was very much inspired by the body of literature written during the Harlem Renaissance, and his style shows this influence. The musicality of his writing is also revealed in his love of sound devices, such as alliteration and anaphora (repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a sentence); he uses these as well as similes and metaphors to illustrate some of his significant points/ideas.
SOME THEMES
Alienation of African Americans in a "free" society
How race is used as a tool of power- on multiple levels
The consequences of racism- external and internalized
Double consciousness
Hypocrisy and corruption in society
SETTING
Harlem in the 1930's. Descriptions of housing, public transportaion, and working conditions, the college the narrator attends (as well as the trip around the city and the Golden Day) accurately reflect the time period. Ellision also illustrates problems in racial relations of the time period, such as: the taboo of white-black romantic relationships, black power figures are perceived by other blacks as being in a conspiracy with whites, stereotypical dolls and images of blacks, advantages and disadvantages of the Communist part in American (Brotherhood), and conflicts between the assimilationists and separatists within the black community.
PLOT STRUCTURE
Invisible Man is a picaresque novel- characteristics include: a first person narrator who is somewhat naive, a sympathetic anti-hero. The novel is told in episodes and flashbacks, while the narrator's experiences take him to many locations and levels of society. Because the narrator is naive, the reader must infer the author's social commentary. Other examples of picaresque novels: Cervantes' Don Quixote, Henry Fielding's A History of Tom Jones, Voltaire's Candide, Defoe's Moll Flanders, Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Kerouac's On the Road, Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye.
*The background information is adapted from an AP guide to the novel. Hope this helps!
Friday, July 6, 2007
Invisible Man
A comment tally update is listed on the Beloved post. Be sure to finish up your five blog comments for Beloved by the end of the day on July 8th if you haven't already. Please email me if you have any questions, etc., as I am in Florida, reading Invisible Man on the beach! If you've already finished Beloved and have moved on to Invisible Man, then, by all means, start your comments here and get ahead- getting done early is a beautiful thing. Here are some possible prompts to reply to when reading the Prologue (taken from an AP guide to the novel):
*How would you describe the tone of the first two paragraphs?
*What is ironic about the narrator's encounter with the blond man?
*What does it mean when the narrator says that the blond man "had not seen [him]"?
*Who are the "sleeping ones"?
*Explain the narrator's desire for light in his hiding place in the basement.
*What is the relationship between the music of Louis Armstrong and the narrator's sense of invisibility?
*What does the narrator learn about the struggle for freedom during his conversation with a former slave?
Again, you may also comment on any other insights, questions, or observations you make as you read. Connections to Beloved would be pretty cool as well. I'll post some background on the novel soon to help get you started. Looking forward to hearing from you.
*How would you describe the tone of the first two paragraphs?
*What is ironic about the narrator's encounter with the blond man?
*What does it mean when the narrator says that the blond man "had not seen [him]"?
*Who are the "sleeping ones"?
*Explain the narrator's desire for light in his hiding place in the basement.
*What is the relationship between the music of Louis Armstrong and the narrator's sense of invisibility?
*What does the narrator learn about the struggle for freedom during his conversation with a former slave?
Again, you may also comment on any other insights, questions, or observations you make as you read. Connections to Beloved would be pretty cool as well. I'll post some background on the novel soon to help get you started. Looking forward to hearing from you.
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