Ralph Eddison’s Invisible Man
Description
You will develop your own argument that answers an interpretive question about Invisible Man. You will support your argument with close reading, using secondary texts to define, defend and support your terms precisely. You might begin with the historical and theoretical texts that we discussed in class with the novel: Marcus Garvey; WEB DuBois; Ellison’s Working Notes; Claudia Tate/Todd Lieber articles). You are required to do research of a critical nature and to engage those sources in your paper.
You can choose one of the following topics or come up with your own:
Invisibility in the novel.
The role of music in the novel.
What does it mean to be “plunged outside of history”?
IM in relation to: Jim Trueblood, Mr. Norton, Lucius Brockway, Dr. Bledsoe, Brother Jack, Mary Rambo, Tod Clifton, Ras the Exhorter/Destroyer, Rinehart.
The role of white women in the novel. [“Magnificent Blonde”, Emma, nameless wife, Sybil]
The dreams described in the novel.
The impact the philosophies of Booker T Washington, W.E.B. Dubois, and Marcus Garvey [and the characters who represent them] have on stages of IM’s life.
Your essay should be between FIVE and SIX (5-6) pages, or 1,250 to 1,500 words. All papers must be typed, double spaced, with standard margins and in Times New Roman 12pt. type and formatted according to MLA style. Your last name and the page number should appear in the top right-hand corner of every page.
You are required to use at least three secondary sources of a critical nature. This means analytic and/or interpretive essays or books written by reputable scholars in the field, published in literary journals, by university presses, or online journals that are peer reviewed and sponsored by universities, institutes, or professional organizations.
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