IM Reading Questions Chapters 3-5

Chapter 3

1.     Look carefully at the descriptions of the Golden Day. What is it? What has it been in the past? Is there any symbolism in the description?

It is a bar, but is also loaded with prostitutes. It had at first been a church, then a bank, then a restaurant, then a gambling house and it is now a tavern. 

2.     Describe the veterans at the Golden Day.

They were described in various ways, as they were referred to as “patients.” Each had differing reaction to Mr. Norton’s sickness, but they were seen as curious children wondering what was going on. Hey all had old gray shirts.

3.     Read p. 81 carefully and comment on the ways that the normal rules of society are reversed at the Golden Day.

The Black people talk to Mr. Norton as an equal; as though they don’t care he is White. The vet criticizes the white man to his face, when it is usually the other way around.

4.     The vet who had been a doctor gives the narrator a warning. What is it?

Discrimination will always be present because the first thing they will judge will be on based on the color of his skin.

5.     The vet is the first to introduce the narrator to the concept of invisibility (pp. 94-94) and blindness. How do his comments tie into the statements the narrator makes in the Prologue?

To the while man, the narrator will never be a man, but just a thing of achievement for himself. The narrator in the prologue comments on he is invisible because no one will truly see who he is because of the color of his skin. This is basically what the vet was trying to get across.

Chapter 4

1. Look at the description of the campus. How does it contrast with the Golden Day?

It is a beautiful sight, with neat lines of dormitories and tender grass. It is described as a cheerful and safe environment. The Golden Day seemed a bit chaotic and messy.

2. Why does the narrator call the campus “ a flower-studded wasteland?”

Once a plantation, it is now a college campus for White students. It may seem beautiful, but the transformation behind it is not.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

3. List as many images (with page numbers) as you can find in this chapter of black against white.

“…and he stopped and looked at me with exasperation, as though I’d suddenly told him black was white.” (102)

“…While black and wrinkle headed, made himself of more importance in the world than most southern white men.”(100)

4. List all the images you can find (with page numbers) of masks and veils in this chapter.

“…composed his angry face like a sculptor, making it a bland mask…” (102)

“Then a veil seemed to fall.” (102)

5.     How does the scene in Bledsoe’s office parallel the Battle Royal scene?

Blendsoe insists that they not be soft on the narrator, and that they must follow the strict rules. Same goes for the Battle Royal. The narrator needed to go on with his speech, despite his injuries and they were also not soft in the ring.

Chapter 5

1. Retell briefly the story of the founder. How does it parallel the story of the narrator?

The Founder was born into slavery, and lived in poverty. His cousin had splashed him with lye as a child, leaving him handicapped, but he still managed to teach himself how to read the Bible. He escaped to the North, and later returned to the South to establish the college.

2. In what ways has Bledsoe perverted the founder’s dream?

To him, the founder’s dream is something silly and mocks it. He rather uses it as a way to bring in money fot the university, than for the actual education o fthe black community.

3. Is there any symbolism in Bledsoe’s name?

Bledsoe would refer to the true indifference he feels towards African Americans.

4. Consider Rev. Homer Barbee’s name and blindness. Is there a classical allusion?

It refers to Homer from The Odyssey. His blindness would represent the Black society, do they are still blind to the real world. However, since he is a reverend, he symbolizes the strength they find in faith, and how that guides them, despite their blindness.  

5. Does the revelation of Barbee’s blindness force the narrator to reevaluate Barbee’s statements? Why?

Yes- The narrator then goes on to believe that he is guilty of what recently happened to Mr. Norton.

6. Examine the images of rebirth on p. 110. Why do you feel Ellison included them?

They are there as a foreshadow to what may happen if the narrator has a change of events.