ELLISON’S INVISIBLE MAN

SC STANDARD Demonstrate the ability to show how the cultural, philosophical, political, religious, or ethical perspectives of a particular period influence the plots, characters, settings, and themes of literary works written during that period.

A DISEMBODIED VOICE In Invisible Man Ralph Ellison presents a character in search of identity. The character cannot be “seen”, but Ellison gives him a voice that ranges from a timid whisper to a reverberating roar. The tone of the novel reflects the range of the African-American Experience.

THE SEARCH FOR IDENTITY The African- American search for identity begins with the historical impact of the slave trade.

SLAVERY An African- American former slave Listen to the song “Are You From Dixie?” Notice the words: stranger, homeland, fields of cotton, plantation, Mason Dixon line.

THOUGHTS OF HOME Who do you think is singing the song? How do you think the man in the picture would react to the song? If the man in the picture sang the song, why might that be ironic? Is home part of identity?

SEARCHING FOR HOME After the Civil War some African- Americans began to search for a new home. The map shows the migratory move from the South.

ACTION AND STATEMENT What statement about African- American attitudes does the migratory pattern make? Why do you think some African- Americans remained in the South? Do the two groups represent different concepts of identity?

AFRICAN- AMERICAN SERVICE African- Americans served in WWI and WWII in segregated units. Is a segregated soldier part of an American army?

A WORKING IDENTITY Click on image below to view clip Although some African- Americans gained prominence, many were trapped on the lower rungs of the socioeconomic ladder, eking out a living on the outskirts of the American dream.

SEGREGATION African-Americans found themselves on the outskirts of mainstream life in their daily activities. Segregation put them at the back door of society.

A SEPARATE IDENTITY What effect do you think segregation had on African- American identity?

THE BATTLE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS In 1952, Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark victory in the fight against segregation.

ONE SMALL VOICE In 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white person. She was arrested. Her arrest sparked a boycott of the bus system by the African-American community in protest of segregation.

A CHORUS OF VOICES

TONES How would you describe the voice or attitude of Rosa Parks? How would you describe the voice or attitude of the Alabama boycotters?

THE VOICES SWELL Black American performers added their voices and music to the Civil Rights movement. Jazz musician Max Roach recorded his Freedom Now Suite in 1960.

THE INVISIBLE MAN’S IDENTITY Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man is a character searching to flesh out his identity in a nation that denies him a complete identity as a citizen with fully realized rights. What components make up our identities? Use the following chart to determine the components of your identity.

WHO AM I? As a person As a family member As a community member As a citizen of my state As a citizen of my region As a citizen of my nation

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER If any of the components of your identity were lacking, would you be less than you are? Could you become “invisible”?

INVISIBLE MAN MADE VISIBLE In 1969 Atlanta Braves fans named Hank Aaron the best ballplayer ever. Chapter 10 from Hank Aaron by Richard Rennert.

BIBLIOGRAPHY “Motion Pictures”. “Work and Leisure ~ Films ” American Memory Collection. Library of Congress. “Photos and Prints”. “African-American Odyssesy ~ Exhibit ~ Multiformat”. American Memory Collection. Library of Congress.

BIBLIOGRAPHY (CONT.) “Sound Recordings”. ”African-American Music, Southern U.S.~ Recordings ~ ” American Memory Collection. Library of Congress. “Sound Recordings”. “Edison Companies ~ Film and Sound Recordings.” American Memory Collection. Library of Congress.