Intro to Invisible Man

Please watch these videos to get a glimpse of Invisible Man's key concerns:
Ralph Ellison: An American Story (video 1)
Ralph Ellison: An American Story (video 2)
The Invisible Man and its Impact on the American Lexicon

Please also read and take notes on this PowerPoint (you may print it if that helps). Thanks!

The poem we will discuss in class tomorrow 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."

 

Instead of Ashland

For those of you not coming to Ashland, please watch a film version of either Shakespeare's Julius Caesar or Henry IV, Part I. It must be a Shakepearean version.

After watching the play, please write a 350 word blog post reflecting on the play (like you would do for MOR). What do Shakespeare's themes (deeper meanings) seem to be? How does he show these through character and other elements?

Due Monday with a regular journal. Thanks!

Best option (most modern film)-- Julius Caesar (by the BBC) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X2l1YFuM-w
 

Older Julius Caesar 1969 version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JInTNKLaEI4

Henry IV Part 1 (pretty old version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ8dAvTGGyw&t=1751s

If you have access to the recent The Hollow Crown PBS movie series, you may watch Henry IV Part I in that set.

Email if you have questions! You may start watching one of the films in class Friday, if you have time and the internet works for YouTube.

AP Exam Score Calculator

If you want to play with your possible scores, the AP English Literature score calculator can be found here: http://appass.com/calculators/englishliterature