Questions About Invisible Man

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Answered Questions (11)

What group of people is this book more relevant to white people or black people. I don't want to make this racist or anything but with the themes this book brought up which audience would have the greater impact from reading this book?

Seth One of the lines of the book explains it to me: "Who knows but that, on the lower frequencies, I speak for you?" Speaks for who? You. The reader. Not …moreOne of the lines of the book explains it to me: "Who knows but that, on the lower frequencies, I speak for you?" Speaks for who? You. The reader. Not black or white. There is a connection between the black experience in America, but Ellison uses it to make broader point about the human experience.(less)

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Where I should find your story?

Christina What do you mean?

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I found this to be a very dark book, and felt like I needed a mini-class by the time I got through it just to understand different parts of it, and the novel as a whole. ...Any thoughts?

Melissa Davis If by dark you mean that it was very disheartening since no progress has been made with racism in the last 70 years, then yes I agree. The issues that…moreIf by dark you mean that it was very disheartening since no progress has been made with racism in the last 70 years, then yes I agree. The issues that the narrator encounters are the same ones we are dealing with today. I also found myself wishing I could sit in a class and listen to someone really knowledgeable discuss the book. I thought it was brilliant, but also think I may have missed some nuances because I’m not knowledgeable enough.(less)

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Please explain to me what was the significance of narrator ending up in a factory-hospital in chapter 11? (Was I the only one who felt at that time like he is in the capture of some aliens who were putting some machinery inside him and turning him into a robot ?)

Ash I believe this section serves as a representation of the forced experimentation on African Americans, along with portraying some of the messed up beli…moreI believe this section serves as a representation of the forced experimentation on African Americans, along with portraying some of the messed up beliefs about "criminality" and agression in black male psychology.(less)

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Is this book an appropriate read for a high school English class?

Josephine It's a hard read but with a good teacher 11th and 12th graders should find this rewarding. My book group said this book has a whole semester's worth i…moreIt's a hard read but with a good teacher 11th and 12th graders should find this rewarding. My book group said this book has a whole semester's worth in it.(less)

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