Chapter 16
1.
List all the
images of blindness in this chapter. What do you think the narrator means when
he says he has become “more human?”
“We’re
blind as bats…”
“The
light was so strong that I could no longer see the audience..”
“They
think we’re blind..”
“Then..we’re
in the dark again..”
“…Uncommonly
blind journey..”
-When he
says he has become more human he is saying that he has begun to realize and
understand and live the real world. He has awaken.
2.
How does the
narrator use the image of blindness as the central theme of his speech?
The narrator
uses the image of blindness ad the central theme by first beginning with his
past and saying things like, “They think we’re blind” and then how since they were born they were
marked as blind:” Think about it, they’ve disposed us each of one eye from the
day we’re born..” He tries to tell the audience that since they have one eye
they should stick together. The speech sounds motivating and keeping them
strong and together.
3.
Be prepared
to discuss the speech as a further expression of the narrator’s developing
identity.
4.
The
rewritten quote from James Joyce is often discussed. Do you think that it is
the duty of an individual to represent a particular race, gender or group? Do
you believe it is more important to concentrate on developing ones individual
identity?
I believe
an individual should represent a particular race or gender, because if someone
of a race is being oppressed, how will
they break off? In school, we have SGA that is designed to represent each
class. Their duty is to be ONE voice for 100 students. To express their
concerns and problems and create solutions.
I also
believe one should find their own identity first before trying to help others
because if you don’t know who you are, how will you help others find
themselves?
5.
What is The
Brotherhood’s reaction to the speech? What is your personal reaction? What
criticism of The Brotherhood is implied here?
The
reaction of the brothers are not as positive as the audience’s. They tell the
narrator that emotional tactics are not good and that people should be told
things that are rational. They have bad critism towards the speech and to me it
seems like they are jealous of his speech because it had a lot of impact on the
audience.
My personal
reaction towards the speech was good, I like speeches that come from the heart,
it motivates me and it has a longer impact on me.
Chapter 17
1.
How much
time has passed since the narrator’s speech?
Four
months has past.
2.
Describe
Brother Hambro.
Brother
Hambro is a “tall friendly man, a lawyer and the Brotherhood’s chief
theoretician”.
3.
What is Ras’
political doctrine and why is it in conflict with that of The Brotherhood?
He has
been organizing Harlem in a racist basis, preaching “black nationalism” and ordering
his men to fight against any organization that goes against his beliefs/
purposes.
4.
Who is Tod
Clifton? Why do he and the narrator become friends? Note that “tod” means death
in German. Why does Ras spare Clifton’s
life?
-Tod is
a handsome young black male. He is a hard worker. Him and the narrator are
allies, they are both against the Brotherhood’s policy of fighting evictions.
-Ras
spears Tod’s life because Ras he loves who he is, he finds him perfect and he
wants him to come join him, he also wants the narrator, but they don’t want to
join.
5.
Ras pleads
with the narrator to become a part of black unity and leave The Brotherhood. His
arguments are similar to those of Black Panthers and others who came to the
political forefront in the 1960’s. The Communist Party did, in effect, betray
the Blacks who helped build the party in the 1930’s. What side do you believe
Ellison is supporting?
I
believe Ellison is supporting the side of Ras, on how they will be betrayed by
the white just like the communist did.
6.
What is
significant about the portrait of Douglass that hangs in Brother Tarp’s office?
How is Tarp like Douglass? Like the narrator’s grandfather?
The
portrait is significant because it’s suppose to be an inspiration to the
narrator about the achievement of Frederick Douglass and struggle of fighting
for equality in America. Trap wants the narrator to fight against equality.
Trap follows and believe in Douglass’s views. Trap is like Douglass and the narrator’s grandfather because he doesn’t want the narrator to follow bad
footsteps and betray his own.
Chapter 18
1.
Consider the
symbolism of the link of chain Tarp gives the narrator. It what ways does it
link the narrator to Tarp? To his past? Is it significant that Westrum rejects
that link?
Trap and
the narrator are alike because they both moved away from their hometown and
although the narrator didn’t want to he started a new life just like Trap. The
link is related to the narrator because it reminds him of his past. It reminds
him specifically of his grandfather and his childhood.
I
believe it is significant that Westrum rejects it. Westrum probably doesn’t want
to be reminded of his past.
2.
What seems
to cause the fight between Wrestrum and the narrator? What do you think is the
REAL reason for this fight?
The
fight starts because of Wrestrum. He accuses the narrator of being individual
and trying to get fame. But Wrestrum contradicts himself since he is the one
who was telling him to do the interview, maybe Wrestrum was just telling the
narrator to do it just to make him feel better but he didn’t think he’d actually
get the interview and it makes him mad since Westrum has always wanted one.
3.
At the end
of the chapter, the narrator is sent out of Harlem. Why would The Brotherhood
remove a successful member of the party and send him off to lecture on a
subject about which he knows so little either by training or personal
experience?
I
believe they sent him out because their purpose is to move up together as a
group. However, some of the people in the group are envious of their own kind.
They don’t like to see one of them just move up.
Chapter 19
Note that
chapter 19 is a transitional chapter like chapters 7 and 12.
This chapter
details the narrator’s seduction by the nameless “woman in red.”
1.
In what ways
is Ellison playing with the idea that white women are drawn to Black men?
They way
that he has introduced his readers to this woman. The woman seems so eager and
attracted to the narrator. Her change of clothes, her apartment with a life
sizing painting of a pink Renoir nude, her talk, her movement, and her excitement
are all signs of her attractiveness to the narrator who is black.
2.
What
reaction does the woman give when her husband comes home?
She seemed careless and so did her husband. He
didn’t even pay much attention to the narrator. She simply said to her husband,
“Oh, hello dear, back so soon?”
3.
What is the
narrator’s action?
The
narrator was a bit afraid but after seeing what had just happened he felt like
it was weird how the husband didn’t say anything but he did want to stay a few
moments with her because he felt like this was an amazing moment for him.
4.
Do you think
this chapter is humorous, or is it serious social commentary.
I
believe this is sort of humorous but like rapper, J.Cole said, “..but every
joke contains truth”
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