Invisible Man Study Guide for Test

"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus"

In an essay of 250 words or more, using specific examples from Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.

Choose question one, two, or three for your response.

1.    Where in Invisible Man does Ellison—who was trained as a musician—use language to musical effect? (For example, compare the description of the college campus on pages 34-7 to Trueblood’s confession on 51-68).

2.    Write about any features or elements of jazz, blues music, Black spirituals, and call-and-response sermons you can in Ellison's writing style and narrative structure. What do these contribute to the novel?

3.    Ch. 2, p34 -- "Driving Mr. Norton": Characterize Norton; characterize Trueblood. Why do you think Norton is so intent on meeting Trueblood? What are the Invisible Man's reflections on the encounter between them? Is Ellison using dramatic irony -- i.e., does the reader's understanding of the meanings of the encounter sharply differ from the Invisible Man's?

In your writing, be sure to address the Six Traits of Writing [Presentation not included]:

·       Ideas [Overall Purpose/Main Idea; Handling of the Prompt]

·       Organization [and Development]

·       Voice [Details, Imagery, Tone]

·       Word Choice [Use of Language]

·       Syntax [Sentence Structure]

·       Conventions [Grammar and Usage]