Invisible Man Discussion Test

These are some of the questions we’ll consider for our discussion test over Invisible Man. Remember, we are meeting at the Bagel Company on 11th Ave.

1. Irving Howe reviewed Invisible Man in 1952, and wrote, “Though immensely gifted, Ellison is not a finished craftsman. The tempo of his book is too feverish, and at times almost hysterical. Too often he tries to overwhelm the reader; but when he should be doing something other then overwhelm, when he should be persuading or suggesting or simply telling, he forces and tears. Because the book is written in the first person singular, Ellison cannot establish ironic distance between his hero and himself or between the matured “I” telling the story and the “I” who is its victim. And because the experience is so apocalyptic and magnified, it absorbs and then dissolves the hero; every minor character comes through brilliantly, but the seeing “I” is seldom seen.” Respond specifically to these observations.
2. Orville Prescott wrote, “The bewildered and nameless hero of “Invisible Man” longs desperately to achieve a personal success and to help his people. But his role as a man acted upon more often than acting, as a symbol of doubt, perplexity, betrayal and defeat, robs him of the individual identity of the people who play a part in his life. These, while not subtly portrayed, have a vibrant life which makes them seem real and interesting. They include Dr. Bledsoe, the sanctimonious and unscrupulous college president; Mr. Norton, the Boston millionaire benefactor of the college; Lucius Brockway, psychopathic engineer in the paint factory; “Ras, the Exhorter,” rabble-rouser and street prophet; Brother Jack, one-eyed and ruthless member of the “Brotherhood” committee.” Discuss.
3. One of the major philosophical movements that motivated Ellison was existentialism, but it is unclear whether Ellison’s argument is that existentialism is a universal experience or one that is unique to the African-American experience. Using copious examples from the text and occasional reference to the notes, make an argument that Invisible Man supports the idea of black existentialism or universal existentialism.