Dear Ralph Ellison,
Your novel Invisible Man has become one of the most remarkable books in society today. The profound content and themes of this story has truly made others realize and understand what it means to be invisible. Im a society of inequality and hate, there are still many people who are in the world today that are invisble. In the time period you wrote this book, many African Americans were invisible the majority in our society. Even those that tried to make the white man happy, still were looked at as jokes. One remarkable quote from your text came from the prologue which stated "I am invisble, understand, because people refuse to see me." This quote was so important to the overall message of the story because it helped one understand what invisble means, and what it meant to you when ypu wrote this story. This quote alone helps the story continue to remain relevant even today because many people are still being unrecognized and unheard of. Another important quote in the story came from the first chapter which stated "About eighty-five years ago they were told that they were free, united with others of our country in everything pertaining to the common good, and, in everything social, separate from the fingers of the hand. And they believed it. They exulted in it. They stayed in their place, worked hard, and brought up my father to do the same." In this quote it reallt made me understand a deeper meaning into the word invisible. Once the majority realized they could no longer enslave people, they changed and tried to seperate people. The problem was many did not resist this and basically continue to live their daily lives. But the problem is they were not free. They were still in the control of others. This still exists in society today, but the word Freedom is used to cover this up. We are free from enslavement, but we are not free from racist and prejudice people, and the inequality that still exists in society. This book will continue to open the eyes of many readers for many years to come. The relevance and the importance of this book has made it into a true classic novel!
Sincerly,
Katore James
Monday, March 12, 2018
Thursday, March 8, 2018
Invisible Man Chapter 7
1. The vet uses a metaphor when giving advice to the narrator. He is basically telling thr narrator to live his own life and make the best out of it and that he should not suck up to making whites happy. Basically a way to play the game without doing too much.
2. The vet tells the narrator to be his own father so he can get opportunities and guide his own life. He also gives him advice to stop following others and take his own lead and create his own opportunities. This is important because it would help him live his own life without someone guiding him.
3. The allusion of being Jonah in the belly kf whale is alluded to. As the narrator goes to a new city is thrown off by how much is going on and needs guidance to decipher what is going on.
2. The vet tells the narrator to be his own father so he can get opportunities and guide his own life. He also gives him advice to stop following others and take his own lead and create his own opportunities. This is important because it would help him live his own life without someone guiding him.
3. The allusion of being Jonah in the belly kf whale is alluded to. As the narrator goes to a new city is thrown off by how much is going on and needs guidance to decipher what is going on.
Three Prevalent Themes and Connections
1. Identity- One major theme of the story is identity. Throughout the story the narrator is constantly trying to find himelf in a world where he is overlooked. As the story progressed he tries to figure out the type of person he is and who he will become. He finally realizes he is invisible in the hands of a white man's society.
2. Inequality and Race- inequality and Race is a major theme of this story because of the time period in which the story takes place. In the poem "I Too" as well being black im at the time a white America was difficult and dealt many defeats.
3. A county of false dreams- This is a major theme to both this story and one of the poems because this country stands for one thing but does another. Each individual American is guaranteed Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, being black in America made the country and its leaders lool lile hypocrites.
Connections
I Too- Two of the major themes connect to the poem I Too. That is Race and inequality and finding your identity in white America. Langston Hughes talks about how when company comes he has to sit in the back because he is the darker brother. But he has hope for a better tomorrow where he want even be asked to go to the back. As in the story they are trying to fond their place on a society that was dominated by the social injustices at the time.
Refugee in America- This poem relates to my theme of being in a county of false dreams. This country is portrayed as so powerful and as a model country to the world but if only those on the outside knew exactly what was going on in the inside, that perception would change. In Refugee in America whem the author says "There are words like Liberty, that almost make me cry, If you had know what i knew, you would know why." This is significant because so many freedoms and dreams are promised to all of the American people but we still live in an unfair world filled with hate and inequality.
2. Inequality and Race- inequality and Race is a major theme of this story because of the time period in which the story takes place. In the poem "I Too" as well being black im at the time a white America was difficult and dealt many defeats.
3. A county of false dreams- This is a major theme to both this story and one of the poems because this country stands for one thing but does another. Each individual American is guaranteed Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, being black in America made the country and its leaders lool lile hypocrites.
Connections
I Too- Two of the major themes connect to the poem I Too. That is Race and inequality and finding your identity in white America. Langston Hughes talks about how when company comes he has to sit in the back because he is the darker brother. But he has hope for a better tomorrow where he want even be asked to go to the back. As in the story they are trying to fond their place on a society that was dominated by the social injustices at the time.
Refugee in America- This poem relates to my theme of being in a county of false dreams. This country is portrayed as so powerful and as a model country to the world but if only those on the outside knew exactly what was going on in the inside, that perception would change. In Refugee in America whem the author says "There are words like Liberty, that almost make me cry, If you had know what i knew, you would know why." This is significant because so many freedoms and dreams are promised to all of the American people but we still live in an unfair world filled with hate and inequality.
Invisible Man Chapters 4,5, and 6
1. The imagery in chapter four affects the narrator because he begins to think about past events that happened, such as with the road. These events allow him to think different about the campus, and he see it as a threat.
2. The narrator dislikes Trueblood and the people at the bar because he could get expelled for the setting he is in. Also because he is just another black student with potential but racial injustice threaten his future.
3. The effect of comparing the building to an old plantation house is pretty deep. Since the building looks like one of those that where owned by slave masters it was easy to get that perception. Also the narrators feels threatened because he is black, and Mr. Norton is white which adds to the irony the narrator is going through.
4. Dr. Bledsoe achieved his power in society because he basically went alomg with the culture at the time and knelt down to the white man. He sought to make the white man happy, and he carried himself well.
5. The mirror and aquarium are metaphors because they give off great meanings that impact the message of the story. The mirrors shows how the narrator and Dr. Bledsoe changes their personality on how they address white people. They struggle with whether to bow down or live a life of their own. While the aquarium just shows how far the black generation has came yet ti still be behind.
Chapter 5
1. The rhetorical argument between the blood shot eye and the moon is that the white man always has his eyes on the actions of black people. Although that person may have been through a lot and has been torn a part the eye also represents how the white man may see a black man as a threat.
2. The overall tone is mainly sarcasm. The author is sarcastic about things and talks dowm on them as well.
3. The importance of the italicized passage is to show how important the narrator's feelings are about the things that are going on now and from his past.
4. The text says Dr. Bledsoe had the decorum of a portly head waiter. This is significant because it shows the inequality between him and the trustees. They had more power but he was more sharp.
5. Rev. Barbee alludes to the different figures of Christianity and the days of slavery.
6. The founders death was seen as a good thing because the things he created and worked for began to flourish, including his teachings.
7. Sound devices are used the portray the meaning of the word black throughout the story. The story if portrayed in a dark world full of hate. Most of the things the reverend says he is blind too.but tries to make others see the light of it.
8. The rhetorical effect of Rev. Barbee being blind is that he tries to teach to other his unwavering faith and how he is so committed to the founder. He wants to show that his blindess does not change his allegiance toward the founder.
9. The narrator see the images of a Mockingbird perched up with a note also bright lights under the head of a kneeling slave.
Chapter 6
1. His posture is mainly relaxed then it begins to change.
2. Dr. Bledsoe is mad at the narrator because he allowed Mr. Norton to see things that happened in the blacl community amd take him place he should not have. This is also important because Dr. Bledsoe haa modeled perception of a black community.
3. Dr. Bledsoe's ideas are similar because it talks about how black become yes men to whites, and how they will tell the white man a lie just to impress them and get on their side.
4. The narrator discontinues to listen to him and keeps referring to how he was called "that" referring to the N word.
5. The weak handshake with a lack of firmness foreshadows how weak of a man and how little of help Bledsoe will be in the future.
2. The narrator dislikes Trueblood and the people at the bar because he could get expelled for the setting he is in. Also because he is just another black student with potential but racial injustice threaten his future.
3. The effect of comparing the building to an old plantation house is pretty deep. Since the building looks like one of those that where owned by slave masters it was easy to get that perception. Also the narrators feels threatened because he is black, and Mr. Norton is white which adds to the irony the narrator is going through.
4. Dr. Bledsoe achieved his power in society because he basically went alomg with the culture at the time and knelt down to the white man. He sought to make the white man happy, and he carried himself well.
5. The mirror and aquarium are metaphors because they give off great meanings that impact the message of the story. The mirrors shows how the narrator and Dr. Bledsoe changes their personality on how they address white people. They struggle with whether to bow down or live a life of their own. While the aquarium just shows how far the black generation has came yet ti still be behind.
Chapter 5
1. The rhetorical argument between the blood shot eye and the moon is that the white man always has his eyes on the actions of black people. Although that person may have been through a lot and has been torn a part the eye also represents how the white man may see a black man as a threat.
2. The overall tone is mainly sarcasm. The author is sarcastic about things and talks dowm on them as well.
3. The importance of the italicized passage is to show how important the narrator's feelings are about the things that are going on now and from his past.
4. The text says Dr. Bledsoe had the decorum of a portly head waiter. This is significant because it shows the inequality between him and the trustees. They had more power but he was more sharp.
5. Rev. Barbee alludes to the different figures of Christianity and the days of slavery.
6. The founders death was seen as a good thing because the things he created and worked for began to flourish, including his teachings.
7. Sound devices are used the portray the meaning of the word black throughout the story. The story if portrayed in a dark world full of hate. Most of the things the reverend says he is blind too.but tries to make others see the light of it.
8. The rhetorical effect of Rev. Barbee being blind is that he tries to teach to other his unwavering faith and how he is so committed to the founder. He wants to show that his blindess does not change his allegiance toward the founder.
9. The narrator see the images of a Mockingbird perched up with a note also bright lights under the head of a kneeling slave.
Chapter 6
1. His posture is mainly relaxed then it begins to change.
2. Dr. Bledsoe is mad at the narrator because he allowed Mr. Norton to see things that happened in the blacl community amd take him place he should not have. This is also important because Dr. Bledsoe haa modeled perception of a black community.
3. Dr. Bledsoe's ideas are similar because it talks about how black become yes men to whites, and how they will tell the white man a lie just to impress them and get on their side.
4. The narrator discontinues to listen to him and keeps referring to how he was called "that" referring to the N word.
5. The weak handshake with a lack of firmness foreshadows how weak of a man and how little of help Bledsoe will be in the future.
Friday, March 2, 2018
Chapter 1 and 2 response!
1. In the second paragraph allusion is used when he stated "a fair bird-girl gilded in veils calling to me from the angry surface of some grey and threatening sea. This is a reference to greek sirens. Sirens are dangerous creatures who guided people to their island witb music but shipwreck them.
2. The narrator is basically trying to say let them keep doing you wrong, that it comes back on them so hard that it kills them.
3. The narrator is sognificant for comparing himself to Booker T. Washingon because he did not want to do the Battle Royal at the event because it would take away from his speech. He felt he needed to impress the white man much like Booker T. Washington did back in his time.
4. The narrator have contradictory or mixed feelings because the blond man does not see him as a person but yet stills expects him to be a clown and act as if he has no feelings. Like just because the black man is a nobody it is ok to torture him.
5. This chapter shows the limits of assimialtion by proving the point that white men getting a joy out of black being tortured is a hard pill to swallow.
6. Because there was really no enthusiasm for the narrator, but for Trueblood because be impregnated his own brother
7. The quote foreshadows because the narrator is heading somewhere where he has never gone before and does not exoect anything to be normal about it.
8. The juxtaposition takes place as Mr. Morton is fantasized as to how Trueblood has not been punished by god yet, and how the Narrator looks at him as a disgrace to the black community.
9. Trueblood uses a somewhat justified or entiltled tone to discuss this issue. He basically seea no problem with what he dis amd provides back up of how the white community around him supported him. He also is naive to the fact and just blames it on the physical aspects of life.
10. The actual sexual relationship he has with his daughter is ironic. The more ironic part also is that they still have sex with each other more than the wife too. He is completely fine with it and its basically playing into the norms on how the whites viewed the blacks.
11. Truebloods wife called Aunt Cloe over to perforem aborions on her and the daughter. She did want people judging them because of some foolish sin and did not want to be looked at in that manner.
12. The white community loves to see him to continue to shed a bad light on the black community, and to continue to make blacks look stupid. While black people look at him in shame because of his actions amd him not seeimg any problems with it.
13. I think Mr. Norton gave Trueblood the $100 dollars because he felt bad for him. Maybe Mr. Morton thinks of they were not struggling trueblood would nit think or act the way he does. Also to show that he supports Trueblood but just not agree with him. Mr. Nortom wants to show he feels bad because he knows his ancestors played a crucial role in someone turning into someone like Trueblood
2. The narrator is basically trying to say let them keep doing you wrong, that it comes back on them so hard that it kills them.
3. The narrator is sognificant for comparing himself to Booker T. Washingon because he did not want to do the Battle Royal at the event because it would take away from his speech. He felt he needed to impress the white man much like Booker T. Washington did back in his time.
4. The narrator have contradictory or mixed feelings because the blond man does not see him as a person but yet stills expects him to be a clown and act as if he has no feelings. Like just because the black man is a nobody it is ok to torture him.
5. This chapter shows the limits of assimialtion by proving the point that white men getting a joy out of black being tortured is a hard pill to swallow.
6. Because there was really no enthusiasm for the narrator, but for Trueblood because be impregnated his own brother
7. The quote foreshadows because the narrator is heading somewhere where he has never gone before and does not exoect anything to be normal about it.
8. The juxtaposition takes place as Mr. Morton is fantasized as to how Trueblood has not been punished by god yet, and how the Narrator looks at him as a disgrace to the black community.
9. Trueblood uses a somewhat justified or entiltled tone to discuss this issue. He basically seea no problem with what he dis amd provides back up of how the white community around him supported him. He also is naive to the fact and just blames it on the physical aspects of life.
10. The actual sexual relationship he has with his daughter is ironic. The more ironic part also is that they still have sex with each other more than the wife too. He is completely fine with it and its basically playing into the norms on how the whites viewed the blacks.
11. Truebloods wife called Aunt Cloe over to perforem aborions on her and the daughter. She did want people judging them because of some foolish sin and did not want to be looked at in that manner.
12. The white community loves to see him to continue to shed a bad light on the black community, and to continue to make blacks look stupid. While black people look at him in shame because of his actions amd him not seeimg any problems with it.
13. I think Mr. Norton gave Trueblood the $100 dollars because he felt bad for him. Maybe Mr. Morton thinks of they were not struggling trueblood would nit think or act the way he does. Also to show that he supports Trueblood but just not agree with him. Mr. Nortom wants to show he feels bad because he knows his ancestors played a crucial role in someone turning into someone like Trueblood
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