Invisible Man Questions and Answers
Invisible Man
What does the grandfather say in Invisible Man?
On his deathbed, the narrator's grandfather says that Black people are in a covert war with white people and will win by pretending to be servile and telling them what they want to hear.
Invisible Man
What is the significance of the grandfather's deathbed speech in Invisible Man, and whom has he betrayed?
The grandfather's deathbed speech in Invisible Man is significant as it advises the protagonist to outwardly conform to white expectations while secretly rebelling. The grandfather feels betrayed by...
Invisible Man
What is the significance of 1,369 light bulbs used in the prologue of Invisible Man?
The 1,369 light bulbs in the prologue of Invisible Man symbolize several themes. The number includes the multiples of 3, a significant figure in the novel, representing generations since slavery....
Invisible Man
Dr. Bledsoe's anger and decision to expel the narrator in Invisible Man
Dr. Bledsoe's anger and decision to expel the narrator in Invisible Man stem from the narrator's perceived betrayal of Bledsoe's trust and authority. The narrator inadvertently exposes the reality of...
Invisible Man
The symbolism of the blindfold in "Battle Royal" in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man
In "Battle Royal," the blindfold symbolizes the social and racial blindness imposed on African Americans. It represents how society deliberately obscures their vision and understanding, forcing them...
Invisible Man
Why does Mr. Norton give Trueblood $100 in Invisible Man?
Mr. Norton does not explicitly explain why he gives the incestuous Mr. Trueblood one hundred dollars, but clues in the narrative suggest that Norton is rewarding Trueblood for enacting his own...
Invisible Man
Role of Blues and Jazz in Invisible Man
In Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, blues and jazz play significant roles as symbols of African American identity and rebellion. These genres, particularly represented by Louis Armstrong's music,...
Invisible Man
What occurs at the Golden Day in Invisible Man?
At the Golden Day bar in Invisible Man, Mr. Norton has a reviving drink and is whisked upstairs, away from a fight, to be treated by the vet. The vet confronts Mr. Norton with the reality of racism...
Invisible Man
In Invisible Man, who are the "sleeping ones" in the prologue?
In the prologue of Invisible Man, the "sleeping ones" refer to individuals, primarily white people, who remain oblivious to racial realities due to their metaphorical "poor vision." These people,...
Invisible Man
Who does Dr. Cuss visit after seeing the stranger in Invisible Man?
After he visits the stranger in Invisible Man, Dr. Cuss goes to see the vicar, Mr. Bunting.
Invisible Man
How is humor used in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man?
Humor in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man is used to highlight the absurdity and dishonesty encountered by the protagonist. Ellison employs dark, subtle humor, irony, satire, and caricature to critique...
Invisible Man
Why is the Invisible Man expelled from college?
The Invisible Man gets kicked out college by Dr. Bledsoe in retaliation for bringing Norton to see Jim Trueblood. Bledsoe explains that the narrator's act threatened the foundations of the school,...
Invisible Man
In Invisible Man, what is ironic about the narrator's encounter with the blond man?
The narrator's encounter with the blond man is ironic because, despite the narrator's "invisibility," the man perceives him only as a threat, not as a person. This encounter highlights the narrator's...
Invisible Man
What are the narrator's dreams in "Invisible Man", and how are they fulfilled?
The narrator’s dreams and goals change throughout the book, but his determination to discover his own identity is clear. He starts out with a desire to be a Booker T. Washington-type leader, but he...
Invisible Man
What is the role and importance of women in the novel Invisible Man?
In Invisible Man, women play complex roles, often highlighting racial and gender tensions. Mary, an older black woman, is a positive figure, providing support and encouraging the narrator's racial...
Invisible Man
What causes the narrator's conflict with the Brotherhood in Invisible Man?
The narrator's conflict with the Brotherhood arises from the limitations of rigid ideologies in capturing the complexity of human identity. Initially attracted to the Brotherhood's promises to uplift...
Invisible Man
What do the gold coins at the battle royal in "Invisible Man" turn out to be?
The gold coins at the battle royal in "Invisible Man" turn out to be worthless brass tokens. The narrator, an African American man, is forced to participate in degrading entertainment for white men,...
Invisible Man
What led Mrs. Hall to believe there were spirits in the room, and what were her assumptions about the stranger?
Mrs. Hall believed there were spirits in the room due to witnessing furniture and objects moving on their own, which she attributed to supernatural forces. Her assumptions about the stranger,...
Invisible Man
How does the narrator in Invisible Man treat women?
The narrator in Invisible Man treats women as objects, mirroring the discrimination faced by black people from white men. Women, like minorities, are depicted as pawns in a patriarchal society. This...
Invisible Man
Why does Mr. Emerson show Invisible Man Dr. Bledsoe's letters and why is his friendship distrusted?
Mr. Emerson shows the narrator Dr. Bledsoe's letters to reveal Bledsoe's treachery and "tyranny," as the letters are not recommendations but warnings. Emerson, genuinely sympathetic, wants to...
Invisible Man
What is the significance of music in the Prologue of Invisible Man?
In the Prologue of Invisible Man, music, particularly jazz, symbolizes the narrator's quest for identity within a racially prejudiced society. Jazz, known for its improvisation and African-American...
Invisible Man
The stranger's demeanor and behavior upon entering the inn in H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man
The stranger in H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man enters the inn with a secretive and mysterious demeanor, heavily wrapped in clothing and bandages. He avoids engaging with the inn's occupants, speaking...
Invisible Man
Which college does the Invisible Man attend?
The Invisible Man goes to an unnamed Black college which is based on the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.
Invisible Man
What year is Invisible Man set in?
We are not given the specific year the Invisible Man is set in. It spans many years, but it is probably intended to be set in the late 1930s as the narrator is looking over and assessing his life.
Invisible Man
What did Mrs. Hall do to prove herself worthy of her good fortune in Invisible Man?
Mrs. Hall proves herself worthy of her good fortune by being exceptionally hospitable to Griffin, the stranger who arrives at her inn during an unusually cold winter. Despite the rarity of such a...
Invisible Man
Is the Battle Royal scene in Invisible Man realistic? Explain.
The Battle Royal scene in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man is not particularly realistic due to its allegorical nature, which often lacks verisimilitude. The surreal, dream-like descriptions and the...
Invisible Man
Why do the grandfather's last words cause anxiety in the family?
The grandfather's last words cause so much anxiety in the family because he tells his son that Black people are at "war" with white people and that they should keep up the fight. The parents are...
Invisible Man
Why is the name 'Greenwood' significant in the context of Invisible Man?
The name of the narrator's home town, Greenwood, is significant because green wood is new wood that is not very useful. At this early point in the novel, the green wood represents the narrator, who...
Invisible Man
Analyze Mr. Norton's visit to Jim Trueblood's home in Invisible Man.
In "Invisible Man," Mr. Norton's visit to Jim Trueblood's home highlights racial prejudice and stereotypes. Norton, a white college trustee, is intrigued by Trueblood's story of incest, reflecting...
Invisible Man
How is existentialism presented in Invisible Man?
The term existentialism is generally applied to a movement that examines the nature of the human condition philosophically. Existentialism appears in Invisible Man as demonstrated by a black man’s...
Invisible Man
Where does the Invisible Man reside?
At the beginning of the novel, the invisible man lives in a basement somewhere in New York City.
Invisible Man
What three examples of repeating cycles in Invisible Man reflect Ralph Ellison's broader critique?
In Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, repeating cycles of betrayal by authority figures, racial stereotyping, and the invisibility of women highlight his critique of societal prejudice. The protagonist...
Invisible Man
What does "Tod" mean in German and why is it symbolically appropriate for Tod Clifton?
"Tod" means "death" in German, making it symbolically fitting for Tod Clifton. After disappearing from the Brotherhood, Clifton is seen selling Sambo dolls that perpetuate racist stereotypes,...
Invisible Man
What distinguishes the narrator (Invisible Man) from Dr. Bledsoe?
The narrator is characterized by innocence and optimism, unlike Dr. Bledsoe, who embodies cynicism and manipulation. Dr. Bledsoe maintains his status by exploiting ties with powerful white men, often...
Invisible Man
In "The Invisible Man", where does the yam seller guess the narrator is from?
In "The Invisible Man," the yam seller correctly guesses that the narrator is from the South, as yams symbolize Southern soul food. This encounter triggers the narrator's realization of his cultural...
Invisible Man
What is the possible meaning of the last line of The Invisible Man?
The last line of "The Invisible Man" suggests that the narrator, though unseen by society, retains a voice that communicates his lived experiences. His message is subtle, aimed at those who have...
Invisible Man
In the epilogue of Invisible Man, why is "reality as irresistible as a club" according to the narrator?
In the epilogue, the narrator describes reality as "irresistible as a club" due to his brutal experiences as a Black man in racially divided America. This metaphor highlights the harsh, inescapable...
Invisible Man
What are the reasons behind Tod Clifton's shooting in Invisible Man?
Tod Clifton is a public figure for the Brotherhood, an activist for black youth, and one of the most prominent leaders of Harlem. He is shot and killed by a white policeman when he was trying to...
Invisible Man
Why is the motif of light crucial in Ellison's prologue in "Invisible Man"?
The light sets the tone of the narrator's awakening in the beginning of the story. Note, however, that this light is not literally visible to anyone else, because they are blinded by their own...
Invisible Man
In Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, why does the narrator fear the sleeping farmer?
The narrator most fears the sleeping farmer because of his race, not his wealth or class.
Invisible Man
What are the textual clues in "Invisible Man" that hint at the narrator's 'rebirth' after the electroshock therapy?
The narrator's "rebirth" after electroshock therapy in "Invisible Man" is symbolized by his disorientation and loss of identity, akin to a newborn's experience. He awakens not knowing his name or...
Invisible Man
What is the thesis in Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" or "Battle Royal"?
The thesis in Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" centers on the struggle for individuality amidst pervasive racism, which oppresses personal identity and renders targeted individuals "invisible." Racism...
Invisible Man
What are some examples of Marxism in Invisible Man?
Marxism in Invisible Man is evident through themes of class oppression and power dynamics. The Brotherhood represents the Communist Party, initially embraced by the narrator but later seen as...
Invisible Man
Discuss the irony in the narrator's speeches in The Invisible Man.
The irony in the narrator's speeches in H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man serves to reveal character traits and situational nuances without direct statements, adding wit to the intense narrative. For...
Invisible Man
In Chopin's The Awakening and Ellison's Invisible Man, identify a character who outwardly conforms but inwardly...
In "Invisible Man," the narrator exemplifies outward conformity and inward questioning. Growing up lower-middle class and feeling out of place among his urban peers in New York City, he conforms to...