Chapter 18
1. Consider the symbolism of the link of chain Tarp gives the narrator. In what ways does it link the narrator to tarp? To his past? Is it significant that Wrestrum rejects that link?
The link of chain is a symbol for the continuous battle against injustice. By giving it to the narrator, Tarp is giving him the responsibility of carrying out the fight against oppression. It also links the narrator to his Southern culture. It is significant that Wrestrum rejects the link because it demonstrates that he does not acknowledge the pass and would rather forget about it. The link makes Wrestrum feel really uncomfortable and perceives it as a threat to The Brotherhood.
2. What seems to cause the fight between Wrestrum and the narrator? What do you think is the REAL reason for his fight?
Wrestrum believes that the narrator has become to powerful and that he is putting his self interest before the overall well being of the Brotherhood. I think the real reason is that he is just jealous and upset that the narrator forgot to mention his idea of creating an emblem to represent the Brotherhood.
3. At the end of the chapter, the narrator is sent out of Harlem. Why would The Brotherhood remove a successful member of the party and send him off to lecture on a subject about which he knows so little either by training or personal experience?
It is a form of limiting the narrator's power by having him focus on something he knows little about.
Chapter 19
1. In what ways is Ellison playing with the idea that white women are drawn to Black me?
He makes the meeting with the woman more like a date rather than a meeting to discuss ideology. The women invites him into her home and then offers the narrator wine and changes into something more comfortable. The diction used by the narrator implies this idea as well.
Ex: The woman describes the narrator's voice as "primitive." This shows that part of her interest in him is the fact that he's Black.
2. What reaction does the woman give when her husband comes home?
She doesn't seem to mind or really care at all.
3. What is the narrator's action?
The narrator curses himself for putting himself in that situation and decides to grab his clothes and leave. He later contemplates the idea that it might of all been a set up, but nothing ever happens.
4. Do you think this chapter is humorous, or is it serious social commentary?
I think this chapter had a little bit of both. It was humorous in the fact that a Black man was sent to speak about social equality when he doesn't even have it himself. There's a bit of social commentary in the situation with the woman. The husband didn't even react like someone normally would. He doesn't perceive the narrator as a threat and maybe not even as a human, well not to the level that they are at.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Invisible Man Chapter 17 Reading Questions
1. How much time has passed since the narrator's speech?
4 months
2. Describe Brother Hambro.
"A tall, friendly man, a lawyer and The Brotherhood's chief theoretician, he had proved to be a hard taskmaker." The narrator viewed him as a "fantastic teacher."
3. What is Ras' political doctrine and why is it in conflict with that of The Brotherhood?
Ras believes that all Blacks should group together versus The Brotherhood who believes that Whites and Blacks should work together. Ras views Whites as all being horrible and anyone that works with them is a traitor.
4. Who is Tod Clifton? Why do he and the narrator become friends? Note that "tod" means death in German. Why does Ras spare Clifton's life?
He is the leader of the youth. The narrator becomes friends with him because he is black and young with an education just like him. Ras spares Clifton's life because he's black. He doesn't believe in killing his own kind. He think's its absurd to be fighting Black vs. Black.
5. Ras pleads with the narrator to become a part of the black unity and leave The Brotherhood. His arguments are similar to those of the Black Panthers and other who came to the political forefront in the 1960s. The Communist Party did, in effect, betray the Blacks who helped build the party in the 1930s. What side do you believe Ellison is supporting?
I believe Ellison is supporting Ras/Black Panther side because of how he sets up the plot in the novel. The Brotherhood attempts to change the narrator and Ras is their to point out all the negative sides of it.
6. What is significant about the portrait of Douglass that hangs in Brother Tarp's office? How is Tarp like Douglass? Like the narrator's grandfather?
It symbolizes the hopes and dreams that he has for the future. They are similar because Tarp believes in the idea of a slave transforming into a wide viewed figure. He is like this grandfather in the fact that they believe they should stand up to Blacks.
4 months
2. Describe Brother Hambro.
"A tall, friendly man, a lawyer and The Brotherhood's chief theoretician, he had proved to be a hard taskmaker." The narrator viewed him as a "fantastic teacher."
3. What is Ras' political doctrine and why is it in conflict with that of The Brotherhood?
Ras believes that all Blacks should group together versus The Brotherhood who believes that Whites and Blacks should work together. Ras views Whites as all being horrible and anyone that works with them is a traitor.
4. Who is Tod Clifton? Why do he and the narrator become friends? Note that "tod" means death in German. Why does Ras spare Clifton's life?
He is the leader of the youth. The narrator becomes friends with him because he is black and young with an education just like him. Ras spares Clifton's life because he's black. He doesn't believe in killing his own kind. He think's its absurd to be fighting Black vs. Black.
5. Ras pleads with the narrator to become a part of the black unity and leave The Brotherhood. His arguments are similar to those of the Black Panthers and other who came to the political forefront in the 1960s. The Communist Party did, in effect, betray the Blacks who helped build the party in the 1930s. What side do you believe Ellison is supporting?
I believe Ellison is supporting Ras/Black Panther side because of how he sets up the plot in the novel. The Brotherhood attempts to change the narrator and Ras is their to point out all the negative sides of it.
6. What is significant about the portrait of Douglass that hangs in Brother Tarp's office? How is Tarp like Douglass? Like the narrator's grandfather?
It symbolizes the hopes and dreams that he has for the future. They are similar because Tarp believes in the idea of a slave transforming into a wide viewed figure. He is like this grandfather in the fact that they believe they should stand up to Blacks.
Invisible Man Chapter 16 Reading Questions
1. List all the images of blindness in this chapter? What do you think the narrator means when he says he has become "more human?"
"Then swiftly we were in the dark again..."
"Then suddenly I was blinded and felt myself coach into the man ahead of me."
"The light was so strong that I could no longer see the audience..."
"They think we're blind -- uncommonly blind."
"You know, if we aren't careful, they'll slip up on our blind sides..."
"Let's reclaim our sight; let's combine and spread our vision."
By stating the narrator is "more human" he is saying that he has gathered the support from others. He finally feels as if he has somebody on his side and that he belongs.
2. How does the narrator use the image of blindness as the central theme of his speech?
He tells the audience that they are blind to the oppression of the whites. They argue within each other without realizing that the White men are the problem. If they bind together, they will be able to move and see forward.
3. Be prepared to discuss the speech as a further expression of the narrator's developing identity.
The speech is an important development in the narrator's identity. He finally feels accepted by others and that he is really making a change in the people.
4. The rewritten quote from James Joyce is often discussed. Do you think that is is the duty of an individual to represent a particular race, gender, or group? Do you believe is is more important to concentrate on developing ones individual identity?
To a certain extent it is. Your race, gender, or group are part of what make you who you are. Denying it would be like denying a part of yourself. Compared to one's race, gender, or group, one's identity is more important because you have to understand who you are in order to move forward in your life.
5. What is The Brotherhood's reaction to the speech? What is your personal reaction? What criticism of The Brotherhood is implied here?
The Brotherhood was unhappy with the speech. They believed it was too emotional and needed to be more scientific. I personally believed his speech was good! He was able to point out the problems in society with a manner that the public understood. The fact that The Brotherhood did not like the speech demonstrates that they are more concerned with their image then with what they really say.
"Then swiftly we were in the dark again..."
"Then suddenly I was blinded and felt myself coach into the man ahead of me."
"The light was so strong that I could no longer see the audience..."
"They think we're blind -- uncommonly blind."
"You know, if we aren't careful, they'll slip up on our blind sides..."
"Let's reclaim our sight; let's combine and spread our vision."
By stating the narrator is "more human" he is saying that he has gathered the support from others. He finally feels as if he has somebody on his side and that he belongs.
2. How does the narrator use the image of blindness as the central theme of his speech?
He tells the audience that they are blind to the oppression of the whites. They argue within each other without realizing that the White men are the problem. If they bind together, they will be able to move and see forward.
3. Be prepared to discuss the speech as a further expression of the narrator's developing identity.
The speech is an important development in the narrator's identity. He finally feels accepted by others and that he is really making a change in the people.
4. The rewritten quote from James Joyce is often discussed. Do you think that is is the duty of an individual to represent a particular race, gender, or group? Do you believe is is more important to concentrate on developing ones individual identity?
To a certain extent it is. Your race, gender, or group are part of what make you who you are. Denying it would be like denying a part of yourself. Compared to one's race, gender, or group, one's identity is more important because you have to understand who you are in order to move forward in your life.
5. What is The Brotherhood's reaction to the speech? What is your personal reaction? What criticism of The Brotherhood is implied here?
The Brotherhood was unhappy with the speech. They believed it was too emotional and needed to be more scientific. I personally believed his speech was good! He was able to point out the problems in society with a manner that the public understood. The fact that The Brotherhood did not like the speech demonstrates that they are more concerned with their image then with what they really say.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Invisible Man Chapter 15 Reading Questions
1. Think about the symbolism of the Sambo bank. Is is related to Clifton's Sambo doll? What about the fact that is belonged to Mary Rambo? What about the bank's "grinning mouth" that swallows coins? Think back to the Battle Royal in Chapter 1.
Yes, they both illustrate the negative stereotypes of Blacks. The fact that the Mary Rambo owned the coin bank demonstrates the outdated values that she holds and because of her ignorance she doesn't necessarily see a problem with owning the Sambo bank. The bank has a "grinning mouth" that swallows coins this shows how money motivates Blacks. It also, highlights the pattern in slavery. The slaves that behaved received a reward, which made them happy. This relates back to Chapter 1 of the Battle Royal were the youth scramble to collect coins, reinforcing the stereotype of Blacks as servile and humble. When the narrator attempts to get rid of the coin bank it is always returned to him. This symbolizes the idea that no matter how hard you try to fight these stereotypes and destroy them, they always have a way of following you around.
Yes, they both illustrate the negative stereotypes of Blacks. The fact that the Mary Rambo owned the coin bank demonstrates the outdated values that she holds and because of her ignorance she doesn't necessarily see a problem with owning the Sambo bank. The bank has a "grinning mouth" that swallows coins this shows how money motivates Blacks. It also, highlights the pattern in slavery. The slaves that behaved received a reward, which made them happy. This relates back to Chapter 1 of the Battle Royal were the youth scramble to collect coins, reinforcing the stereotype of Blacks as servile and humble. When the narrator attempts to get rid of the coin bank it is always returned to him. This symbolizes the idea that no matter how hard you try to fight these stereotypes and destroy them, they always have a way of following you around.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Invisible Man Chapter 14 Reading Questions
1. What pushes the narrator to accept The Brotherhood's offer?
The odor of Mary's cabbage causes the narrator to change his mind, but owing Mary is was really pushes him. The cabbage makes him realize that they'd been eating it so much because Mary was short on money. The IM feels guilty for not thinking of Mary when rejecting the job offer. It could allow him to pay off his rent.
2. Note that the building is called the Chthopia. In Greek mythology, that is another name for Hades' realm, the underworld. What descriptions and images can you find that convey the sense of entering an underworld type of realm? Why is entering the world of The Brotherhood like entering the underworld?
"The car nosed slowly into traffic, dropped swiftly down a hill." --> The underworld is underground.
"...lighted by dim bulbs set behind frosted glass, going past the uniformed doorman.." --> The underworld is assumed to be a dark place and the doorman could symbolize the guards to hell.
"I was uncertain whether we had gone up or down."
"one entire wall was hung with Italian-red draperies that fell in rich folds.." --> red = the flames of hell.
Entering The Brotherhood is like entering the underworld because the narrator must give up all ties to his old life. It reminded almost of selling your soul to the devil. The narrator must give up his old home, friends and family in order to join The Brotherhood.
3. The phone number has been replaced by a new name in an envelope. Why? Why are we never told of this new name?
The name in the envelope will serve as the narrators new identity. We are never told the name because to the IM this new identity remains unclear and he is unsure of what it entails.
4. How does the party scene remind the reader of how limited and/or hypocritical most whites are in the understand of the treatment of Blacks?
The Brotherhood allows itself all of these luxuries, while claiming that they are fighting for the equality of men. While they want the narrator to represent them, they want him to be in the image of Booker T. Washington. The Brotherhood does not truly understand how difficult it will be to equalize the treatment of Blacks. They aren't truly concerned with the immediate things happening to Blacks.
The odor of Mary's cabbage causes the narrator to change his mind, but owing Mary is was really pushes him. The cabbage makes him realize that they'd been eating it so much because Mary was short on money. The IM feels guilty for not thinking of Mary when rejecting the job offer. It could allow him to pay off his rent.
2. Note that the building is called the Chthopia. In Greek mythology, that is another name for Hades' realm, the underworld. What descriptions and images can you find that convey the sense of entering an underworld type of realm? Why is entering the world of The Brotherhood like entering the underworld?
"The car nosed slowly into traffic, dropped swiftly down a hill." --> The underworld is underground.
"...lighted by dim bulbs set behind frosted glass, going past the uniformed doorman.." --> The underworld is assumed to be a dark place and the doorman could symbolize the guards to hell.
"I was uncertain whether we had gone up or down."
"one entire wall was hung with Italian-red draperies that fell in rich folds.." --> red = the flames of hell.
Entering The Brotherhood is like entering the underworld because the narrator must give up all ties to his old life. It reminded almost of selling your soul to the devil. The narrator must give up his old home, friends and family in order to join The Brotherhood.
3. The phone number has been replaced by a new name in an envelope. Why? Why are we never told of this new name?
The name in the envelope will serve as the narrators new identity. We are never told the name because to the IM this new identity remains unclear and he is unsure of what it entails.
4. How does the party scene remind the reader of how limited and/or hypocritical most whites are in the understand of the treatment of Blacks?
The Brotherhood allows itself all of these luxuries, while claiming that they are fighting for the equality of men. While they want the narrator to represent them, they want him to be in the image of Booker T. Washington. The Brotherhood does not truly understand how difficult it will be to equalize the treatment of Blacks. They aren't truly concerned with the immediate things happening to Blacks.
Invisible Man Chapter 13 Reading Questions
1. Peter Wheatstraw foreshadows the encounter with the yam seller. How do these encounters differ? What changes are revealed in the narrator's identify? How is his change in identity linked with his desire to show Bledsoe as a fraud?
When the IM first encountered Wheatstraw he denied his culture and didn't really embrace. He even seemed a bit ashamed of his Souther culture when he was offered pork chops and denied them. The incident with the yam is completely different. The narrator embraces his black culture. He even returns to purchase two more yams after his first. He enjoys the freedom of eating them right there on the street. He notices how great it is to not have to hate something that you really don't. The IM is certain that Bledsoe is just a fraud pretending to not enjoy his Southern culture. He is amused by the idea of Bledsoe being a chitterling eater and mocks him for pretending that he is above it.
2. In the eviction scene, the narrator makes his second speech of the novel. Study it carefully. Compare it to the first speech. Take notes about the narrator's developing identity.
In the narrators first speech, he spoke of racial equality. In this speech, the IV acknowledges the struggle Blacks have faced. He points out that even though the are "free," it's nearly impossible to succeed in a world that is agains their skin color. He continuously states that "we're wise and law-abiding." The narrator wasn't scared to stand up for his beliefs this time. He wasn't saying things that the white men wanted to here, but things that motivated the Blacks.
3. How does the narrator meet Brother Jack? The Brotherhood is a thinly veiled version of the Communist Party. Richard Wright Ellison's first mentor, was an active member in the Communist Party. At Wright's request, Ellison wrote a number of articles for leftist publications between 1937 and 1944, but never joined. He objected to the Communist Party's limitations of individuality and personal expression.
He met him after he got off the roof. He was the figure the narrator saw "chasing" him, but it just turned out they were running the same way. The narrator was caught off guard and was distrustful of Jack. He didn't really understand his message either. Jack invites the narrator to get some coffee with him and proceeds to offer him a job, which the narrator refuses.
4. What new piece of paper replaces the letters from Bledsoe as the narrator's identity?
The piece of paper with Jack's contact information. It becomes a new way that the narrator may be able to define himself.
When the IM first encountered Wheatstraw he denied his culture and didn't really embrace. He even seemed a bit ashamed of his Souther culture when he was offered pork chops and denied them. The incident with the yam is completely different. The narrator embraces his black culture. He even returns to purchase two more yams after his first. He enjoys the freedom of eating them right there on the street. He notices how great it is to not have to hate something that you really don't. The IM is certain that Bledsoe is just a fraud pretending to not enjoy his Southern culture. He is amused by the idea of Bledsoe being a chitterling eater and mocks him for pretending that he is above it.
2. In the eviction scene, the narrator makes his second speech of the novel. Study it carefully. Compare it to the first speech. Take notes about the narrator's developing identity.
In the narrators first speech, he spoke of racial equality. In this speech, the IV acknowledges the struggle Blacks have faced. He points out that even though the are "free," it's nearly impossible to succeed in a world that is agains their skin color. He continuously states that "we're wise and law-abiding." The narrator wasn't scared to stand up for his beliefs this time. He wasn't saying things that the white men wanted to here, but things that motivated the Blacks.
3. How does the narrator meet Brother Jack? The Brotherhood is a thinly veiled version of the Communist Party. Richard Wright Ellison's first mentor, was an active member in the Communist Party. At Wright's request, Ellison wrote a number of articles for leftist publications between 1937 and 1944, but never joined. He objected to the Communist Party's limitations of individuality and personal expression.
He met him after he got off the roof. He was the figure the narrator saw "chasing" him, but it just turned out they were running the same way. The narrator was caught off guard and was distrustful of Jack. He didn't really understand his message either. Jack invites the narrator to get some coffee with him and proceeds to offer him a job, which the narrator refuses.
4. What new piece of paper replaces the letters from Bledsoe as the narrator's identity?
The piece of paper with Jack's contact information. It becomes a new way that the narrator may be able to define himself.
Invisible Man Chapter 11 & 12 Reading Questions
Chapter 11
1. What images of this chapter echo the Battle Royal?
All the doctors observing the narrator and he was confused as to what was going on. Blood filled his mouth. The doctors were shocking him.
2. The doctors at the factory hospital shock the narrator until he enters a warm watery world. Look for other images of the womb and birth.
"My mind was blank, as though I had just begun to live."
"But now the music became a distinct wail of female pain."
"I don't have enough room."
"I recoiled inwardly as though the cord were part of me. Then they had it free and the nurse clipped through the belly band and removed the heavy node."
"Then I was told to climb out of the case."
3. Afterwards, the narrator is a blank slate with no memory or identity. How do the doctor's questions develop the image of rebirth?
They emphasize the fact that the narrator doesn't remember the basic and essential information that make him who he is.
4. Why has the narrator been reborn? What aspects of his identity have died?
Because he no longer feels he fits the person he was before. Plus the extreme shocking has probably damaged his brain in some way. He is no longer afraid.
5. Buckeye the Rabbit is the same as Brer Rabbit. Remember the reference to the Tar Baby in chapter 10? In realizing that he is Buckeye the Rabbit, the narrator finds the wit and strength to escape from the machine. How is the machine like Trueblood's clock? How does Buckeye the Rabbit embody the folk wisdom of the narrator's childhood? How has he been reborn into the identity he at first denied upon arriving in New York?
It is what gave them both wit and strength. It is a representation of black culture. Now, the narrator understand that the blackness is part of his identity and he must embrace it.
6. What lesson has the narrator learned?
"Not of important men, nor of trustees and such; for knowing now that there was nothing which I could expect from them, there was no reason to be afraid.
Chapter 12
1. In what way is the narrator childlike?
He dumps water on a man that resembles Bledsoe. He also has become more dependent in others and has lost sight of his goals.
2. How does he permanently lose off the link with his old aspirations and dreams?
He leaves the men's house and becomes more reliant on Mary. He has also lost the drive that caused him to strive for success.
1. What images of this chapter echo the Battle Royal?
All the doctors observing the narrator and he was confused as to what was going on. Blood filled his mouth. The doctors were shocking him.
2. The doctors at the factory hospital shock the narrator until he enters a warm watery world. Look for other images of the womb and birth.
"My mind was blank, as though I had just begun to live."
"But now the music became a distinct wail of female pain."
"I don't have enough room."
"I recoiled inwardly as though the cord were part of me. Then they had it free and the nurse clipped through the belly band and removed the heavy node."
"Then I was told to climb out of the case."
3. Afterwards, the narrator is a blank slate with no memory or identity. How do the doctor's questions develop the image of rebirth?
They emphasize the fact that the narrator doesn't remember the basic and essential information that make him who he is.
4. Why has the narrator been reborn? What aspects of his identity have died?
Because he no longer feels he fits the person he was before. Plus the extreme shocking has probably damaged his brain in some way. He is no longer afraid.
5. Buckeye the Rabbit is the same as Brer Rabbit. Remember the reference to the Tar Baby in chapter 10? In realizing that he is Buckeye the Rabbit, the narrator finds the wit and strength to escape from the machine. How is the machine like Trueblood's clock? How does Buckeye the Rabbit embody the folk wisdom of the narrator's childhood? How has he been reborn into the identity he at first denied upon arriving in New York?
It is what gave them both wit and strength. It is a representation of black culture. Now, the narrator understand that the blackness is part of his identity and he must embrace it.
6. What lesson has the narrator learned?
"Not of important men, nor of trustees and such; for knowing now that there was nothing which I could expect from them, there was no reason to be afraid.
Chapter 12
1. In what way is the narrator childlike?
He dumps water on a man that resembles Bledsoe. He also has become more dependent in others and has lost sight of his goals.
2. How does he permanently lose off the link with his old aspirations and dreams?
He leaves the men's house and becomes more reliant on Mary. He has also lost the drive that caused him to strive for success.
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