Chapter 7
What do you make of the vet’s advice to the narrator?
Do you feel hopeful about the narrator or not?
Chapter 8
Is anything different for the narrator in New York?
On page 170, the narrator says he dreamed of his grandfather again. What would that foreshadow or imply?
Chapter 9
In this chapter the narrator has an interview with a Mr. Emerson.
What is your opinion of Emerson? What motivates him?
Has your opinion changed about any other characters?
What does Beldsoe’s letter remind you of? (It’s a neat resurrection of an earlier image….)
Is the narrator’s vengefulness justified?
Monday, January 26, 2009
Invisible Man Ch 4-6
Chapter 4
Note how many different people the narrator has offended or does not fit in with. In what directions is he pulled?
Chapter 5
The chapel service is an important event. He says he had to attend chapel before meeting with Bledsoe. Think about this, either before or after reading: what do you suppose is represented by the chapel service as a whole? What elements of the service support your assumption?
Point out images, stylistic techniques, and themes contained in Homer Barbee’s sermon.
Does [any aspect of] Homer Barbee represent anything?
Chapter 6
Here the narrator meets with Dr. Bledsoe.
Does anything about Bledsoe surprise you? Confuse you? How has your opinion of him changed, if at all?
Why is Bledsoe doing what he’s doing to (or for) the narrator?
Note how many different people the narrator has offended or does not fit in with. In what directions is he pulled?
Chapter 5
The chapel service is an important event. He says he had to attend chapel before meeting with Bledsoe. Think about this, either before or after reading: what do you suppose is represented by the chapel service as a whole? What elements of the service support your assumption?
Point out images, stylistic techniques, and themes contained in Homer Barbee’s sermon.
Does [any aspect of] Homer Barbee represent anything?
Chapter 6
Here the narrator meets with Dr. Bledsoe.
Does anything about Bledsoe surprise you? Confuse you? How has your opinion of him changed, if at all?
Why is Bledsoe doing what he’s doing to (or for) the narrator?
Invisible Man Ch 1-3
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
Prologue
Why is the narrator “invisible”?
Why does he steal the electricity for his lightbulbs?
The narrator foreshadows situations and characters that will emerge later in the book. Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything.
What is interesting about the style in the prologue? Sure, it’s kind of confusing; but why is it written the way it is?
Chapter 1
Notice images of prey/predator, true/false, nimals
There are several layers to images in Ellison’s novel. The smoker is not only a smoker but a defining event in the narrator’s life and also a metaphor for the whole country; yet it also is a positive force for the narrator because he gains an actual prize and also a new perspective and a step towards understanding his grandfather’s words.
Chapter 2
Who is Norton? What/whom does he represent? Is he right or wrong? Do you like him or not? Do you trust him? Why does the narrator react to Norton the way he does?
Who is Trueblood (and why that name)? What does he represent? Why is Norton so fascinated by his story?
Trueblood tells of a dream; this makes three dreams so far in the novel, right? Is there any continuity or parallel aspect to the three dreams?
What do you think will happen? Will this incident be forgotten?
Chapter 3
For all the chaos and discomfort the narrator feels, there is some humor in this chapter. Yes?
What’s the connection between the customers at the Golden Day and Supercargo? (OR: Who are these customers that act so strange?)
The vet’s discussion with Mr. Norton is very interesting. In what way/s is the vet an example of the grandfather’s words?
Notice the vet’s words on P. 94-95. What’s so interesting about that section?
Prologue
Why is the narrator “invisible”?
Why does he steal the electricity for his lightbulbs?
The narrator foreshadows situations and characters that will emerge later in the book. Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything.
What is interesting about the style in the prologue? Sure, it’s kind of confusing; but why is it written the way it is?
Chapter 1
Notice images of prey/predator, true/false, nimals
There are several layers to images in Ellison’s novel. The smoker is not only a smoker but a defining event in the narrator’s life and also a metaphor for the whole country; yet it also is a positive force for the narrator because he gains an actual prize and also a new perspective and a step towards understanding his grandfather’s words.
Chapter 2
Who is Norton? What/whom does he represent? Is he right or wrong? Do you like him or not? Do you trust him? Why does the narrator react to Norton the way he does?
Who is Trueblood (and why that name)? What does he represent? Why is Norton so fascinated by his story?
Trueblood tells of a dream; this makes three dreams so far in the novel, right? Is there any continuity or parallel aspect to the three dreams?
What do you think will happen? Will this incident be forgotten?
Chapter 3
For all the chaos and discomfort the narrator feels, there is some humor in this chapter. Yes?
What’s the connection between the customers at the Golden Day and Supercargo? (OR: Who are these customers that act so strange?)
The vet’s discussion with Mr. Norton is very interesting. In what way/s is the vet an example of the grandfather’s words?
Notice the vet’s words on P. 94-95. What’s so interesting about that section?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)