Lesson 1 | Invisible Man | 12th Grade English

Objective

Identify the setting, infer the major themes of the novel, and identify the author’s purpose for writing the novel.

Readings and Materials

Book: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison — first two paragraphs of prologue
Video: “An Introduction to Ralph Ellison”
Video: “Luke Cage” — Episode 1 (45:56-47:07)

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Target Task

Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved

Writing Prompt

What does Cornel West mean when he says that Ralph Ellison is a, “brook of fire through which one must pass”?

When the narrator says that he is invisible, what does he mean? Use evidence from the prologue to support your answer.

Key Questions

Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding

What does the narrator mean when he says he is invisible? How do you know?
What does he not mean? How do you know?
Describe a time you felt “invisible” in the way he is describing?
What do we know about possible themes of the novel from just this first paragraph? Possible motifs?
What do we learn about the author and the setting of the novel by reading the author’s biography at the beginning of the book?
Throughout the video there are images from the film version of Invisible Man. What do you notice about the time period in which it is set?
What do the students in the film say about Ellison?
Cornel West’s claim is supported by the fact that Ellison’s novel remains popular and prominent even today. Watch the brief clip from Luke Cage. Why is the novel here? What role is it playing in the episode? What do we learn about the novel and another possible theme?

Notes

Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson

Today’s lesson will lend itself well to close reading and is a good chance to reset/reinforce class routines as you begin a new unit. There is not much text to get through today, so reading closely, doing vocabulary instruction, and having a class discussion are all possible.
Begin by reading the first paragraph aloud together. Consider having students read it aloud multiple times, trying to mimic the tone with which they think Ellison intended it to be read.
Students must be able to identify that the setting is just after World War II and before the Civil Rights Movement – first in the South and then in Harlem
Be sure to explain that a “brook of fire” is an allusion to purgatory – the passing through a “trial by fire” in order to reach the other side.

Lesson 2

Lesson Map

Invisible Man — first two paragraphs of prologue
“Intro to Ralph Ellison”
“Luke Cage” — Episode 1 (45:56-47:07)

Identify the setting, infer the major themes of the novel, and identify the author’s purpose for writing the novel.

Invisible Man pp. 4 – 14
“Louis Armstrong - (What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue - New York, 22.07. 1929”

Explain the narrator’s attitude towards his own “invisibility” by analyzing elements such as diction, tone, motifs, and style.

Invisible Man pp. 15 – 23
“The Hero’s Journey”

Explain how the author develops the motifs of invisibility and blindness in Chapter 1.

Explain the connection between the novel and the article.

Invisible Man pp. 24 – 33

Explain the impact of the Battle Royal on the narrator.

Explain how the author uses the motif of blindness/invisibility to develop theme.

Invisible Man pp. 34 – 46
“Booker T. Washington”

Analyze the impact of Ellison’s portrayal of the Founder, the trustees, and the university.

Invisible Man pp. 46 – 70

Explain how the author uses the Trueblood family as a social critique.

Invisible Man pp. 71 – 97

Analyze how the author uses the incident at the Golden Day and the character of the veteran to develop the motifs of invisibility and blindness.

Invisible Man pp. 98 – 108
“We Wear the Mask”

Analyze the motif of masks and how the author develops it in Chapter 4.

Invisible Man pp. 109 – 135

Explain the significance of Reverend Barbee’s characterization of the Founder and Dr. Bledsoe.

Invisible Man pp. 136 – 150

Use evidence from the chapter to analyze Dr. Bledsoe’s character and its impact on the narrator.

Invisible Man pp. 151 – 161

Analyze the narrator’s initial experience in New York, contrasting it with his previous experiences in the South.

Invisible Man pp. 162 – 184

Explain how the author develops the motif of blindness in Chapter 9.

Invisible Man pp. 184 – 206

Analyze the metaphor of the Liberty Paints plant, tracking how the author introduces and develops the metaphor over the first ten pages of Chapter 10.

Invisible Man pp. 207 – 230

Track how the author continues to use the metaphor of the Liberty Paints plant to develop the theme of racism in the United States.

Invisible Man pp. 231 – 250

Analyze how the author develops the theme of racism in the North and the theme of identity in this chapter.

Invisible Man pp. 251 – 260

Analyze the narrator’s internal conflict and be able to explain where he is in the Hero’s Journey stages.

Invisible Man pp. 261 – 266

Write an essay response to the prompt using evidence from the first five pages of the chapter.

12 Million Black Voices — Chapter 3: Death on the City Pavements
Invisible Man pp. 266 – 295

Analyze the author’s characterization of Brother Jack.

Describe how the narrator evolves in Chapter 13.

Invisible Man pp. 296 – 317
“Backwater Blues”
Backwater Blues
“The Communist Party of the United States of America (CPUSA)”

Analyze the impact that the Brotherhood has on the narrator’s developing identity.

Invisible Man pp. 318 – 332

Explain how the author uses symbolism and imagery to reveal character and theme in this chapter.

Invisible Man pp. 333 – 355

Interpret the author’s extended metaphor of blindness as it is developed in this chapter.

Invisible Man pp. 356 – 364 — end in the middle of the page

Analyze the mood created through the events and images of this chapter.

Invisible Man pp. 364 – 377
“Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr.”

Analyze Ras the Exhorter’s critique of the Brotherhood.

Writing

Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World
“Primary Sources: Writing to the U.S. Attorney-General -- "Garvey Must Go"”

Analyze each document and select evidence for use in answer to the essay prompt.

Writing

Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World
“Primary Sources: Writing to the U.S. Attorney-General -- "Garvey Must Go"”

Use evidence from both documents to support an answer to the prompt.

Invisible Man pp. 383 – 398

Explain how the narrator’s attitude toward the letter changes over the course of the chapter.

Invisible Man pp. 399 – 422

Explain how the author uses diction and other techniques to foreshadow the events of the chapter.

Invisible Man pp. 423 – 444

Explain how the author builds suspense in Chapter 20.

Invisible Man pp. 445 – 461

Track the shift in the narrator’s attitude toward the Brotherhood by analyzing author’s craft.

Invisible Man pp. 462 – 478

Analyze Ellison’s portrayal of the leadership of the Brotherhood and their conflict with the narrator.

Invisible Man pp. 479 – 512

Explain how the author uses symbols to develop theme.

Invisible Man pp. 513 – 534

Analyze how the narrator’s attitude and actions toward the Brotherhood are shifting.

Invisible Man pp. 535 – 556

Analyze the development of the symbol of the briefcase.

Invisible Man pp. 556 – 570

Analyze this scene as the Supreme Ordeal of the narrator’s journey and explain his Reward.

Invisible Man — Epilogue

Describe how the narrator’s ideas about identity have evolved and what theme the author is conveying.

Assessment

Invisible Man

Objective

Readings and Materials

Target Task

Writing Prompt

Key Questions

Notes

Lesson Map

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