Invisible Man

Lesson 18
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 1

12th Grade

Lesson 18 of 36

Objective


Analyze the author’s characterization of Brother Jack.

Describe how the narrator evolves in Chapter 13.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: 12 Million Black Voices by Richard Wright  — Chapter 3: Death on the City Pavements

  • Book: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison  pp. 266 – 295

Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Target Task


Multiple Choice

The sentences from the bottom of p. 294 (“He only wanted…make his own speeches”) mainly serve to

Create a free account or sign in to view multiple choice options

How does the narrator’s identity evolve in Chapter 13?

Create a free account or sign in to view multiple choice options

Writing Prompt

What is the author’s tone toward Brother Jack? Is he a character to be trusted or not? What evidence supports your answer?

Key Questions


  • p. 285: From whom is the narrator running? Why?
  • How did the scene impact the narrator and his identity?
  • p. 287: "Who was the figure that had crossed the roof behind me? Chased me?" Track the author's characterization of this figure. Who is he? Why has he followed the narrator? Does the narrator trust him? Why or why not? Should he?
  • What does "the figure" think "Death on the City Pavements" is? What do you know the author meant to allude to with this reference? What does this juxtaposition reveal about "the figure"? What does it reveal about the author's tone toward "the figure?"
  • pp. 290-292: How are the narrator's feelings about his Southern black heritage continuing to evolve?
  • "Individual vs. organized indignation" (p. 293) What does this mean?
  • What does Mary represent for the narrator at the end of the chapter?

Notes


  • Pp. 266-284 should be read as homework prior to this class.
  • Begin class with a Do Now in which students look at images from "Chapter 3: Death on the City Pavements" of Richard Wright's photographic history text, 12 Million Black Voices. Students should also read the top two paragraphs of p. 93. After examining the photos and reading the text, students should discuss or write in answer to the question: How did the hopes of black Americans who migrated north contrast with the reality they found? When Wright called this chapter "Death on the City Pavements," what did he mean?
  • Assign pp. 296-305 for homework.
icon/arrow/right/large copy

Lesson 17

icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson 19

Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Access rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free