Monday, March 12, 2018

Intro to Invisible Man

Image result for invisible man coverImage result for invisible man cover ellisonImage result for invisible man cover ellisonRelated image

Please watch these videos to get a glimpse of Invisible Man's key concerns:
Please also read and take notes on this PowerPoint (same as printed handout). Thanks!

The poem we will discuss in class on Wednesday is below, fyi:

Dinner Guest: Me



I know I am
The Negro Problem
Being wined and dined,
Answering the usual questions
That come to white mind
Which seeks demurely
To Probe in polite way
The why and wherewithal
Of darkness U.S.A.--
Wondering how things got this way
In current democratic night,
Murmuring gently
Over fraises du bois,
"I'm so ashamed of being white."

The lobster is delicious,
The wine divine,
And center of attention
At the damask table, mine.
To be a Problem on
Park Avenue at eight
Is not so bad.
Solutions to the Problem,
Of course, wait.

Langston Hughes, 1965

  • "demurely" means modestly or in a reserved way
  • "damask" refers to a fine, rich table cloth
  • "fraises du bois" are tiny, wild strawberries, literally "strawberries of the woods."

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