Questions and Answers
Where does the narrator find himself in chapter 11?
In a white chair in a hospital setting, wearing white overalls; in the sterile environment, the narrator's mind seems blank.
What procedure is performed on the narrator?
A prefrontal lobotomy/electric shock treatment; one doctor suggests castration.
Why does the narrator not tell the doctors his name after the procedure?
He cannot remember his name nor his mother's.
What does the cord in chapter 11 symbolize?
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What does the doctor mean when he says they 'picked poor robin clean'?
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In addition to his memories, what else has the narrator lost?
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Why does Mary Rambo want to take the narrator home?
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Why does the narrator dump slush on a man's head?
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What does the narrator lack in chapter 12?
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In spite of losing his identity, what does the narrator retain?
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What does the narrator want to do in chapter 12?
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The narrator's need to give speeches is an example of what literary device?
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What does the narrator purchase in Chapter 13 that reminds him of home?
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The narrator's anger is primarily focused against whom?
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What vision comes to the narrator's mind when he sees the elderly couple being evicted?
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What do the elderly couple want to do that the marshals deny them?
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Why does the narrator run after making his speech on behalf of the elderly couple?
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What do the yams symbolize?
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In Chapter 14, why is Mary cooking cabbage?
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What fault does Emma find with the narrator?
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For whom does the Brotherhood claim to work?
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After whom does the narrator say he wants to pattern himself?
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What does the unnamed man at the party ask the narrator to do?
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What is ironic about the narrator's dance with Emma?
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Study Notes
Hospital Setting and the Procedure
- The narrator is found in a hospital, seated in a white chair, dressed in sterile white overalls. His mental state is blank, indicating confusion and disorientation.
- He undergoes a prefrontal lobotomy or electric shock treatment, with a suggestion of castration from one of the doctors.
Loss of Identity and Memory
- Post-procedure, the narrator struggles to remember his name and even his mother's name, highlighting a significant loss of personal identity.
- Symbolism of the cord in chapter 11 represents the umbilical cord being cut, signifying the narrator's rebirth and separation from his past.
- The doctor metaphorically states they've "picked poor robin clean," indicating the total destruction of the narrator's memories.
Emotional and Psychological Changes
- The narrator experiences a loss not only of memory but also a disappearance of fear, altering his emotional landscape.
- Mary Rambo expresses a desire to care for the narrator, embodying themes of nurturing and support.
Identity Crisis and Revenge
- In chapter 12, the narrator exhibits a lack of direction, symbolizing his existential crisis following his identity loss.
- Despite losing personal recollections, he retains a strong desire for revenge against Dr. Bledsoe, reflecting unresolved anger and motivation.
- The narrator desires to make speeches, foreshadowing his future actions and challenges.
Symbolism and Cultural Connections
- A single yam symbolizes his memories of home and tradition, representing roots and identity.
- The elderly couple's eviction evokes a vision of the narrator's mother, linking personal past with present social injustices.
Social Interactions and Reactions
- A white girl’s instruction for the narrator to run after his speech underscores the complex dynamics of racial interactions.
- Yams, in the context of the narrator, symbolize freedom from shame associated with his southern upbringing.
Socioeconomic Realities
- Mary’s cooking of cabbage signifies the struggle for basic sustenance, reflecting broader themes of poverty and survival.
- Emma criticizes the narrator for not being "black enough," revealing societal pressures regarding identity and authenticity.
Brotherhood and Aspiration
- The Brotherhood claims to advocate for all people, raising questions about social equality and representation.
- The narrator looks to pattern himself after "The Founder," indicating aspirations for leadership and influence.
Social Gatherings and Irony
- An unnamed man at a gathering requests the narrator to speak more "concretely" and "scientifically," suggesting an expectation for intellectual rigor and specificity.
- The irony of the narrator's dance with Emma emerges from the doctor's earlier prediction that he would engage with a white woman, highlighting the complexities of race and social dynamics.
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Description
This quiz covers key concepts and events from chapters 11 to 14 of Ralph Ellison's 'Invisible Man.' Test your knowledge of the narrator's experiences in the hospital and the implications of the medical procedures he undergoes. Engage with critical themes and understand the impact of these chapters on the overall narrative.
