Invisible Man, Chapters 1-2, Grades 11-12

As you begin reading 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison, focus on the intricate details and themes introduced in Chapters 1 and 2. Pay close attention to the narrator's experiences and how they set the stage for the themes of identity and invisibility. This assignment will help you delve deeper into the text, encouraging you to analyze and connect with the material on a more profound level.

Describe the setting of the battle royal. How does the environment contribute to the overall mood of the scene?

What is the significance of the narrator's speech and the reaction it receives from the audience?

Analyze the symbolism of the 'battle royal' itself. What deeper meanings does this event hold in relation to the themes of the book?

How does the narrator's grandfather's advice play into the events of these chapters, and how does it affect the narrator's understanding of his own identity?

Considering the events of the first two chapters, discuss how Ellison uses these early scenes to establish the novel's central themes. How do these events foreshadow the narrator's journey?