1. Warming up with a circle reading of "We Wear the Mask" and a close reading of Dr. Bledsoe
2. Enjoying a variation on Socratic on Invisible Man: Chapters 4 and 5
3. Wrapping up with epiphanies, questions, and kudos
HW:
1. For TUESDAY: Read Chapters 6, 7, and 8 in Invisible Man; prepare a Socratic ticket (feel free to try something new!).
2. Look through BOTH units of Academic Vocabulary before going to bed at night.
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DeleteCan someone please explain the italicized part from Chapter 5 to me?
ReplyDeleteI believe (and it might be wrong)that it is the song that the choir or congress is singing.
DeleteWhy do you think Mr. Norton defended the narrator?
ReplyDeleteI think Mr Norton gained a respect for the narrator. He was impressed to see that the narrator was honest with him, willing to show the black community, and did his best to help him when he was ill.
DeleteGoing off of that, why does the narrator think Dr. Bledsoe will punish him when Dr. Bledsoe's main goal is to please the founders and hierarchy of the school( Mr. Norton)? If Mr. Norton told Dr. Bledsoe that it was not the narrators fault, do you think Dr. Bledsoe will not punish him?
DeleteI think that while this was on the surface a benevolent act for Mr. Norton, it actually shows the control and potentially power he needs to have over any situation. If he were to complain and throw the narrator under the bus, it would be akin to asking for help or showing his vulnerabilities. By keeping it under wraps, he maintains exclusive control over his story.
DeleteI was not shocked that Mr. Norton stood up for the narrator. Throughout their interactions it seems that the narrator is infatuated with Mr. Norton and Mr. Norton has shown a very vulnerable side of himself to the narrator. I think Mr. Norton is more just interested and curious around their community. Or possibly sees him as what will carry on his legacy
DeleteI would hope it would be because he might actually be a genuine guy that cares about the narrator. Mr. Norton willingly wanted to talk to Trueblood and the whole situation at the Golden Day was also partially his fault so if he were to throw our poor narrator under the bus that would be the worst. He also probably could imagine what would happen to the narrator if he got in trouble and because his destiny is tied to him he wanted the narrator to succeed.
DeleteWhy do you think that Mr. Norton defended the narrator? Did you think that this was unexpected?
ReplyDeleteI think it was expected at first, because he almost seems like he is on the side of the narrator most of the time, and not biased like many other whites would be. But as the story unfolds, I think this becomes even more surprising, but think surprising on the basis of the other black characters, while not as surprising on the side of the other whites. I think this, in my mind, goes back to the times where the whites are on the side of blacks living in stereotypes, but not liking when they defy these stereotypes...
DeleteI think it isn't surprising because the narrator did as he was asked by Mr. Norton, even if it could potentially change his view. While he was afraid for the perception of black people from Mr. Norton's perspective, he still showed him one aspect of the past which had been hidden from white people. Also, he had tried his best to get Mr. Norton help and showed him yet another part of black life (the Golden Day).
DeleteWhen I think about Mr. Norton saying it wasn't the narrator's fault, I immediately think of it as a power move for Mr. Norton. It as almost as if he is saying "Oh they can't help themselves" which plays into the many stereotypes that the white people have, and how in Mr. Norton's eyes, they were confirmed by the events of that day.
DeleteHow does this quote relate to the concept of the mask?
ReplyDeleteIs there more power in creating and wearing a mask or not wearing one at all?
"We take these white folks where we want them to go, we show them what they want to see. Don't you know that?"
I think this quote is very intriguing because from Dr. Bledose's point of view, the white people are the ones with the mask. For example, when the narrator is driving Mr. Norton, he controls where he goes specifically.
DeleteThis relates because Dr. Bledsoe lives to please white people. He is highly valued by them becasue of his willingness to be exactly what they expect and so his way of interacting with everyone is exactly how the white people expect him to act instead of who he truly is. Even the way he dresses "Somehow his trousers inevitably bagged at the knees and the coat slouched in the shoulders" and he is described as looking humble!
DeleteThis is an interesting question. I think for the narrator and other characters in Invisible Man, there is more power in not wearing one at all. By playing into the role of being lesser than characters such as Mr. Norton, he creates a mask for himself instead of proving their stereotypes wrong. This allows the white people to continue to "show what they want to see".
DeleteThis quote made me think about the effects of a mask. A mask can help someone manipulate people, and please them ( in this case showing the white people what they want so they will like them). It can be used as a shield to block out things that may be offensive or upsetting to someone. However, when wearing a mask, the individual who is putting up the facade is faced with darkness in that they are hiding their true self and individuality.
DeleteI see both the white people and African American people wearing masks. The white people seem to wear a mask of pride and pity for the black community, while the African American community (especially those of the school) attempt to hide their past and stereotypes. There's a kind of power and respect they earn from white people while wearing this mask, something the narrator is desperate for.
DeleteThis is interesting because I believe this idea shows that they have a little power in the fact that they can do this and that they can fall into their stereotype and the white people will see them as less of a threat.
DeleteJust a clarification question...was the speaker at chapel definitely white?
ReplyDeleteAhh...I actually imagined him not being so... dang is he?
Deleteon page 118 it says "He stood before us relaxed, his white collar gleaming like a band between his black face.."
Deletethanks Emeline!
DeleteAhhhh yeah... which was a line that heavily stood out to me. It's like whites are the noose around his neck... sounds horrible but...
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DeleteI hadn't made that connection Emmy! That is super interesting!!
DeleteAlso, what do you think the significance of bringing biblical references into the chapel speaker's speech was? (i.e. Nazareth bottom of page 118, redemtpion page 119, and Moses parting the red sea page 120)
ReplyDeleteI could almost see it as giving the listeners a hope to believe in, because one of the songs they sing, "Swing low sweet chariot" talks about a chariot and angels coming down to carry the singer off to heaven. By including these biblical references, I feel like its meant to keep the people compliant because they will have a place to go.
DeleteThe Bible has many stories of people escaping slavery, persecution, evil, and fear. Using the Bible relates well to the blacks and their struggle from slavery. It is something they connect with and gives them hope for a better future.
DeleteI think it's interesting how he mentions Moses and the "let my people go" quote because Moses and his people suffered even after being freed from slavery (the fiery snakes, starvation, 40 years of wandering etc.) it's almost like he is subtly hinting that his people are still suffering and have a long way to go the get to the "promised land" of true freedom.
DeleteWho/what is Dr. Bledsoe meant to represent in the story? Do you think his name has any meaning?
ReplyDeleteDr. Bledsoe seems to represent the "ideal African American," an idol the narrator hopes to imitate. He is the embodiment of the mask, the cover that many take to hide their associations.
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DeleteI agree with Michaela, I think he represents the subservience necessary to be considered an "acceptable" black person by the white people in power.
DeleteI think it's certainly significant that his name starts with "Bled." Is there something in there with Trueblood? I wonder what the importance is that Bledsoe's name is past tense and Trueblood's name is present tense?
ReplyDeleteI feel like the name is almost ironic because trueblood is the exact opposite that african americans wanted to be seen as but yet his name is trueblood and bledose's name implies he has bled for the fight to get more respect but then he says he is happy where he is and is only trying to keep his power.
DeleteI didn't notice this connection while reading. Could blood be a symbol in this novel? If so, what could it represent? This is a very interesting observation.
DeleteI think maybe it shows that he left his 'blackness' behind in order to be furthered in the world, kind of like his blood (which is a part of his identity) out to dry. Or maybe he let all of his black blood out of his body, I'm not really sure. I think that Trueblood's name as present tense means that he embodies the stereotype of a black person.
DeleteI think it is important how you pointed out that bled is past tense... and after you bleed new skin is created and covers the blood/wound. I relate this to how Dr. Bledsoe seems to have a mask or "new skin" that allows him to act exactly how white people would desire.
DeleteDo you think the white people or black people are to be blamed for the mask? Like the white people for creating it or the black people for those of them that embrace it?
ReplyDeleteI think that the white people are responsible for creating it, and many of the responses by black people come out of a necessity to survive.
DeleteBlack people don't have a choice. If they wanted success and respect, they had to wear the mask.
DeleteOof that's a deep cutting statement Michaela. I think that it is isn't specific to black people though. I think everyone uses a mask "that grins and lies" to get to where they want to be in society.
DeleteI think both are to some extent culpable. However, the fear that black people felt at the hands of white people was definitely a large motivator to keep the mask on. They could take the mask off, but they wouldn't be able to advance far at that point, as the white people expect and prefer the mask. At that time, the ones with the most power were the white people, so changing for them, while wrong, was to their advantage.
DeleteDr. Bledose is the embodiment of this mask because he hides all of his power behind his happiness with his position.
DeleteYes I agree with you guys!
DeleteThe speech seemed like it was supposed to be uplifting and enforcing the greatness of the school and its founders. But I felt like it made the narrator sad and almost feel more lonely. Did anyone else see this?
ReplyDeleteI agree! I almost saw it as a twinge of sadness because he thought he was going to get expelled and would miss out on this. On page 135 in my book (end of chapter 5) he says "I stood in the darkened doorway trying to probe my future if I were expelled. Where would I go, what would I do". Not sure if thats exactly it but i saw a connection here
DeleteI felt completely the same way. I wonder if this will be a significant moment for the character and play a role in his feelings of invisibility, but i feel like it is too early to see all of its repercussions.
DeleteI also saw this, and I related it a lot to the idea of blindness throughout the novel. In a society where everyone is blind, when the narrator begins to truly see, he realizes that he is one of the few people who can see the truth, which contributes to the idea of loneliness.
Delete"And I remember too, how we confronted those others, those who had set me here in this Eden whom we knew though we didn't know" (Page 112). Considering this reference to Eden and the continued references to the "green grass" throughout the chapters. What is the author trying portray? Is this really a place of "Eden"?
ReplyDeleteTo the narrator, this is Eden. This is his escape from reality. It provides the fruit of his thought and gives him the resources necessary to develop his future.
DeleteThe garden of Eden is a representation of paradise but it is also the representation of the lack of knowledge. Perhaps the author once saw this as a paradise but looking back he sees that he was being repressed of knowledge and individuality in a way.
DeleteI think it is meant to possibly represent Eden. With the green grass and the flowers and rivers and trees it actually really sounds like that. It also definitely has the same sort of corruption. From the outside it looks perfect and ideal for the opportunity that the black people are looking for but on the inside it's fake and there is like an ulterior motive just like Adam and Eve.
DeleteWhat is Ellison trying to say about the concept of fate? How could that have been exemplified by the end of chapter four?
ReplyDeleteI really like thinking about the idea of fate and how Mr. Norton uses the idea of fate to make himself feel as if he is helping these people out of the good of his heart. He twists this into the idea that his fate is based off of what this race does and "inspires" the narrator to strive. Norton says "learning your contribution to my fate" 108. He twists this to saying that it is the narrators job to make Norton's fate good.
DeleteFate is something that is out of people's hands. Especially in greek mythology, if a person tried to change fate they would end up securing it. I think the constant mention of fate could be a reference to the prologue because we know his fate is to be homeless or it could be Mr. Norton telling the narrator that his fate is to be black and there is no way to change it.
DeleteThis is more of a basic question but what did you guys think was the authors point/significance of including the italicized part in chapter 5? and so much depth about the church service?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think the significance of the ambiguity of the statue? The narrator states, "I am standing puzzled, unable to decide whether the veil is really being lifted, or lowered more firmly in place" (36).
ReplyDeleteI think that represents the uncertainty of the reconstruction. There was a potential that black people could eventually gain equal rights, but many others saw a worse path of oppression ahead.
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