AP Lit/Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison – PART 2: ch. 13-25
Discussion Prep
Purpose: To begin learning how to craft solid, focused discussion questions or prompts which elicit
interesting, debatable conversation.
Directions: We are going to cover the second part of the novel from ch. 13’s eviction of the old couple to
the end, primarily in table group discussion. Here’s what I’d like you to do. Please type and print with a
proper heading at the top.
1) QUESTIONS. Come up with 3 original Costa’s prompts specifically centered on ch. 13-25.
These prompts must come from the interpretive and evaluative levels of Costa’s. You need to
begin each prompt with one of the verbs listed. Create a prompt from each level; you could, for
example, create two interpretive prompts and one evaluative prompt. The best prompts will reflect
what you are genuinely curious about so let your own intellectual curiosity be your guide. You
should probably strive to make sure your questions cover as much of 13-25 as possible as opposed
to focusing in on just one or two chapters.
2) THOUGHT PIECE. Thought pieces are one-page papers designed to encourage you to consider
what you think and why before you come to class. They are not meant to be revised and polished.
They receive credit but no formal grade (though I do assigned them points to reward your effort).
You can base this thought piece on a line, a passage, an incident, or an issue in the story and use it
as an entry point into a discussion. Personally, I like to look back over my sticky notes in a book
and find a particularly compelling quote and then write a response to that quote in which I put it
under a microscope and analyze its meaning.
Food for Thought:
You have 12 chapters to review and three good, thought-provoking prompts to come up with. Where to
start? You should first review the characters and plot of ch. 13-25. Make sure you remember who’s who
and what happened. Now, what’s lingering in your mind? Are there certain scenes that stand out? Is there a
character that confused or intrigued you? Are you thinking more about the big picture in terms of overall
messages and themes? Are you hung up on any symbols or motifs? Let your own curiosity lead you to your
three prompts.
Some topics/ideas to help you think:
Motifs/symbols
Light/dark, white/black, blindness/sight, invisibility vs being “seen”
Connections to HTRL: flight, sex, quest, Greek mythology (Sybil!), political, blindness
Racism in the South, in the North; expectations vs. realities
Duplicity
Self-esteem, self-doubt, self-worth, self-isolation
Bildungsroman
Oratory – the IM’s important speeches
Theme
Role of women, depiction of women in IM