Invisible Man

Lesson 14
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ELA

Unit 1

12th Grade

Lesson 14 of 36

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison  pp. 207 – 230

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

The association that the narrator makes on p. 218 between “If It’s Optic White, It’s the Right White” and the phrase “If you’re white, you’re right” implies that

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Sample Response

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Writing Prompt

What is Lucius Brockway’s role at Liberty Paints? How does Ellison use Brockway’s character to extend the metaphor of Liberty Paints?

Key Questions


  • p. 209: "Lucius Brockway not only intends to protect hisself, he knows how to do it." Who else have we heard talk about protecting himself above all else? What is the significance of Brockway repeating Bledsoe's claim? What is the author suggesting?
  • p. 211: Analyze the author's diction. What is the significance of his repetition of the word "antagonism."
  • Mr. Brockway speaks in dialect. How does this add to his characterization? Why did the author make this decision?
  • What is Brockway's position within the plant?
  • p. 217: "Our white is so white you can paint a chunka coal and you'd have to crack it open with a sledgehammer to prove it wasn't white clear through." What is the metaphorical significance of this line? In what ways does the paint function as a mask?

Notes


Assign the rest of Chapter 10 for homework.

Next

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

Lesson 15
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Lesson Map

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