Invisible Man

Lesson 21
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ELA

Unit 1

12th Grade

Lesson 21 of 36

Objective


Interpret the author’s extended metaphor of blindness as it is developed in this chapter.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison  pp. 333 – 355

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

The connection between blindness and dispossession that the narrator establishes in his speech is that

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Which piece of evidence below best supports the answer to Question 1?

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Writing Prompt

As the narrator makes his speech, he cannot see the audience and they cannot very clearly see him. What makes this ironic? What is the author revealing through this irony? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Key Questions


  • What does blindness represent in the novel? Thus far, where have we seen examples of literal blindness? Metaphorical blindness?
  • p. 334: What do we learn about the prize-fighter? How does the narrator feel after this realization?
  • p. 335-336: The narrator asserts that "this was a new phase," "that's all past," and "I was becoming someone else." What does the narrator seem to be saying he believes about his own identity? Is that possible?
  • p. 335: The narrator specifically mentions the Battle Royal, the hospital, and the campus as things he is "leaving behind." What is the significance of this? How did metaphorical blindness play out in these situations?
  • p. 335: What does "internal discord" mean? What does it reveal about the narrator's identity?
  • p. 338: What happens to the narrator as he steps up onto the stage? What does he realize about the audience? Why is this significant?
  • Who does the narrator refer to as blind in his speech?
  • Who has been dispossessed? Of what? By whom?
  • How are dispossession and blindness connected? What does the narrator ask his audience to do?
  • Throughout his speech, the narrator is blinded by the stage lights. Why is this ironic? Why might Ellison choose to include this detail? What is ironic about it? What might it forecast/foreshadow?
  • "Silence is consent." What does this mean? This sentence has re-appeared recently. Have you seen it? Consider showing an image of Usher's t-shirt and #silenceisconsent campaign. (It has also been use by many others for VERY different causes - investigate a bit before using!)

Notes


Pp. 333-346 should be read in class. The rest of the chapter can be done for homework.

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Lesson 20

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Lesson 22

Lesson Map

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