Literature Analysis #4

The Invisible Man:

1.Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read according to the elements of plot you've learned in past courses (exposition, inciting incident, etc.).  Explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).

-This story is about an African American man and the challenges that made him who he is and brought him to where he is now. The story is in “the South” during the 1920s. The man was really good at writing and public speaking and was given the chance at a young age to give a speech that helps him win a scholarship for college. While at college he became in charge of driving Mr. Norton, a wealthy white trustee at the college, around. One day Mr. Norton happens to overhear word on Jim Trueblood, an uneducated African American man who impregnated his own daughter and retreats to the Golden day. Word of this incident spreads to the college president who then expels the narrator. The narrator then moves to Harlem where he gets a job, until he gets hurt on the job and looses consciousness. He, then, recovers and joins a group called the Brotherhood, headed by Brother Jack. Once again bad things happen to him when the brotherhood begins to question the narrator’s motives for being  a part of the organization. Afraid, he hides from the Brotherhood. When he returns home, there is a riot and he falls in a hole. The police try to kill him and surround the hole where he fell. This last accident causes the narrator to look back on things and it gives him the motivation to do what he whatever he wants and tell his life story. By telling his story the narrator finally finds the strength within himself to come out of the hole because he stayed true to himself.          

2.Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.

-The main theme of the novel is to stay true to who you are. In the narrators case he was an African American man living in the south in the 1920’s. The conditions were bad and accepting the poor treatment towards blacks would have been easier for him but he never gave in. It was harder to speak out about the cruelty and make a change. It was a struggle he had to overcome in order to face himself and others.
-Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).

-The narrator's tone sad but thoughtful, because of his constant reflection on the racism at the time and his many struggles.

- “What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?” 

-“I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me. Like the bodiless heads you see sometimes in circus sideshows, it is as though I have been surrounded by mirrors of hard, distorting glass. When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves or figments of their imagination, indeed, everything and anything except me.”

CHARACTERIZATION 

3. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization.  Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)

-The narrator uses direct characterization because throughout the whole story he is describing his thoughts and actions.

4. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character?  How?  Example(s)?

-The author did not change his town when he talked about other characters because the author is the main character and he is describing how he felt about things.
5. Is the protagonist static or dynamic?  Flat or round?  Explain.

-The main character is dynamic because he faces problems with not conforming to racism. He is also a round character because he has so many qualities.
6. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character?  Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction. 

-After reading this novel I have come away feeling like a have met the man not just read a story.