Chapter 6
1.
What shocking aspects of
Bledsoe’s character are revealed to the narrator?
Bledsoe
starts to reveal himself as someone who is ambitious and selfish. He also
demonstrates his beliefs of white superiority after stating that the White
people had control of the school, and that the narrator had ruined the image of
the black community for the person that truly mattered. Bledsoe thought the
narrator was a fool for taking Mr. Norton to where Trueblood was. The narrator
only saw a man who was power hungry.
2.
What specific statements does
Bledsoe make that show his concern is for himself rather than for the school or
for the advancement of other Blacks?
“… but I’m
still the king down here.”
“If there
weren’t men like me running schools like this, there’d be no south. Nor North
either.”
“… you take
the prize and you keep it, protect it…”
3.
Read the last paragraph on p. 146
beginning “How did I come to this?” What do you make of the paragraph in terms
of the narrator’s struggle to find his identity?
He felt that
he was doing everything right, but nothing seemed to result in anything good,
and he didn’t know why. He didn’t know if to follow his grandfather’s wishes or
not, because he was not sure of what would work in order for him to be
successful.
Section 3 Invisible Man
Chapters 7-15
Chapter 7
1.
Who does the
narrator meet on the bus to New York? Why does the encounter make him
uncomfortable?
It
was the vet. It made him uncomfortable because it was a connection to the
experience he had with Mr. Norton, which he feels is on his conscious.
- On p. 152, the narrator is told New York is “not a place,
it’s a dream.” Interpret this statement.
It is a fantasy that many wonder about. He mentions how “the
little black boys run away to New York” to pursue whatever they desire.
Everything will change, and you will be accepted.
- How does the fate of the vet parallel the fate of the
narrator? Think of how both are controlled.
The vet is suddenly being transferred to Washington DC, even after
a year of asking. The narrator is sent to New York. Both are being sent away in
order to not mess up the image that had been set up for the white men to see of
the black community. If they stayed, it would only be worse, according to them.
- Reread the final paragraph on p. 153 What do you make of the
vet’s advice?
There is no need to play by the rules- One can gain success even
if they don’t do what is expected of them.
- On p. 155, the vet says, “there’s always an element of crime
in freedom.” What does this statement mean to you? Do you agree or
disagree?
I think it means how white society will always view the freedom of
blacks in this time period as a crime- they think it is not appropriate. I
disagree. We have moved on from the times of slavery and freedom. However,
there are still prejudices.
- Describe the narrator’s encounter with Ras.
This was the first riot he had ever encountered, and was shocked
by it. He had never seen a large group of black men angrily yelling in the
streets with little attention paid to them- he was used to the fear he saw in
the South.
Chapter 8
1.
In the first
six chapters, the narrator’s identity is defined by the scholarship. Now the
letters defines it. Describe them.
The
letters are to be delivered to “some important names” for Dr. Blodsoe. This
task is something special to he narrator because he expected someone to realize
his true importance once they were delivered.
2.
Notice the
narrator’s decision to get a watch. How does fit with his new identity. Look
for other images to watches and time.
He
doesn’t want to be late for any appointments because to him, these were
important men who could see his importance as well.
3.
How does the
narrator deny his Southern heritage? Why does he do this?
He’s
leaving behind his “southern ways of speech” because the Northerners would not
approve of it, according to the narrator. He wanted to be more “polished” and
wanted to appear Northern.
4.
Why do you
think the narrator dreams of his grandfather?
He
was debating internally on whether looking for a job from a white company was
going to lead him to being successful, or if the trip was not worthwhile. The
feelings of him revealing his importance was slowly fading away.
Chapter 9
1.
How does
Peter Wheatstraw (with plans) make the narrator homesick?
He
was singing the blues in a clear voice, which reminded the narrator of home.
2.
What is the symbolism of
Wheatstraw’s blueprints?
They represent the way of life- plans change as time goes on. One
never has a definite blueprint of their whole life, so you keep making new ones
and throwing others away.
3.
How does the narrator continue to
deny his Southern heritage?
He denies the southern food offered by the waiter at the
restaurant(he called it resistance and discipline) and instead orders coffee,
toast and orange juice.
4.
Look at the details from
Emerson’s office.
There are paintings on colorful walls. Inside is quiet, with
elegant furniture. There are tropical birds in a cage.
5.
Why does Emerson keep referring
to Huck Finn?
He is given freedom like Huck Finn, and from that freedom he has so
much to gain and learn from.
6.
Walt Whitman wrote a series of
homoerotic poems called the Calamus poems. Can you make any inferences about
young Emerson from his reference to the Calamus Club?
He is still young and care free, and is a party boy.
7.
Why might young Emerson identify
with the narrator and Blacks in general?
He also wants to be of importance to his father, but is just his
son who is supposed to have fun. He is not taken seriously, even if he wants to
be, just like the Black community.
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