WELCOME BACK. YOU WILL FINISH your wilderness essay and turn it in on Wednesday. The typed, argumentative essay should a) assert a multi-sentence claim; b) contain at least three reasons presented in separate paragraphs; c) cite six different sources, two per paragraph. We will also start reading Ellison's Invisible Man.

MONDAY

Reviewing the wilderness essay assignment, and a brief lecture on introductions and conclusions. Then moving into a lecture on Ellison's novel. We will look at the historical context for the novel, the structure, and the contemporary, literary implications of the novel. From there, we will begin listening to chapter one.
HW: Starting with plot. Finish reading chapter one today. Remember that the audio is available on the read drive. You should also refer and annotate for the questions distributed in-class.

TUESDAY

In the library. We are using key word searches to identify poems and short stories that thematically fit with your novel's theme. We will primarily using GVRL's poetry and short stories for students. You should leave having practices the skill of using different research terms.
HW: Finish your wilderness essay...due tomorrow! You should have read chapter one of IM for tomorrow as well.

WEDNESDAY

Short lecture on the symbolism in chapter one, and review of annotations. Which details provide insight into Ellison's view of American racism? Novel journal assignment one: The details of the Smoker are likely heightened--carefully so--for symbolic purpose. But we shouldn't dismiss it's events flat-out. What is the likely (and hopefully historical) reality that Ellison describes? What events likely did take place in a 1940s battle royal such as this?
HW: Read chapter 2 of IM by Friday.

THURSDAY

Mr. Norton: who is this rich, old, white man, and what is he doing at an all-black college? We will explore what the college looks like in terms of visual imagery, and also Mr. Norton, and why he recommends that the IM read Emerson (hey, you have read Emerson!) ... a coincidence? I think not...
HW: Finish reading Trueblood's account of his treatment by the white community. We'll discuss his story in depth tomorrow.

FRIDAY

Paternalism and Trueblood's dream. Why isn't he welcome in the black community? Why does the white community treat him kindly? What is he doing in this novel at the outskirts of the college?
HW: Read chapter three, "The Golden Day."