Invisible Man

Lesson 28
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ELA

Unit 1

12th Grade

Lesson 28 of 36

Objective


Explain how the author builds suspense in Chapter 20.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison  pp. 423 – 444

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

On p. 427 the narrator says, “Barrelhouse had prepared me for the darkened windows of the district, but not, when I let myself in, to call in vain through the dark to Brother Tarp.” This quotation is an example of which suspense-building technique?

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Writing Prompt

Describe the techniques that Ellison uses to develop suspense in chapter 20. You should describe at least two major techniques and use examples to support each.

Key Questions


  • Authors use a variety of techniques to build suspense and tension. Track examples you see of each of these techniques:
      Setting: a setting that creates a foreboding or mysterious mood. (paragraph 1: streets seem strange, tension in hot night air) Conflict between the main character and others. (men at bar) Isolating the main character from others. (alone in bar and alone again in district office) Creating questions in the reader's mind. ("Where is Brother Maceo?")
  • Setting: a setting that creates a foreboding or mysterious mood. (paragraph 1: streets seem strange, tension in hot night air)
  • Conflict between the main character and others. (men at bar)
  • Isolating the main character from others. (alone in bar and alone again in district office)
  • Creating questions in the reader's mind. ("Where is Brother Maceo?")
  • Record the questions that are being raised for you by the text. (p. 428: Where is Brother Tarp? Brother Clifton? What doesn't the narrator know? Why?)
  • p. 428: What shift has occurred? Why is this puzzling to the narrator?
  • What diction does the narrator use to describe the Sambo doll on p. 431? What does the doll represent? Why is it puzzling that Clifton is selling these dolls?
  • Setting: a setting that creates a foreboding or mysterious mood. (paragraph 1: streets seem strange, tension in hot night air)
  • Conflict between the main character and others. (men at bar)
  • Isolating the main character from others. (alone in bar and alone again in district office)
  • Creating questions in the reader's mind. ("Where is Brother Maceo?")

Notes


  • Prior to beginning the day's reading, be sure to review the major events of the final four pages of Chapter 19. What has happened to Brother Clifton? How does this impact the narrator?
  • Students will need to read through at least p. 430 in order to answer the Target Task question well. Getting through p. 433 would be ideal so students see that he finds Brother Clifton!
  • Students should finish the chapter for homework. Some background on the significance and history of the Sambo doll should be provided prior to students doing the homework reading.
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