<p>Just a shot in the dark but I just finished reading this for my class and I had a little trouble understanding the epilogue and I guesss the main point that he was trying to get across? We will be re-reading it as a class- just wanted to get some enlightened explanation for the poor math/science guy taking AP Eng</p>
<p>Is that book particularly by Herbert Wells?</p>
<p>yea i believe so</p>
<p>I think that you're thinking of the one by Ralph Ellison? It's figuratively about a black man as being "invisible" to society during the 20's and 30's. The beginning was really good but then it kinda went downhill (the guy joins a communist group).</p>
<p>yea sorry its Ellison - I jus assumed it was the only book titled that lol
I wouldnt say it went downhill- I found it enjoyable, but it did seem like the situations in which people lost trust in him were not believable</p>
<p>Okay, it was confusing on purpose. It was his descent into the most extreme of his world. Remember he was wearing that mask and people thought he was someone else? This is very important. His identity is based solely on the outside, and along with identity is his status among other people. Now when he was part of this black panther-like group, the violence is what you'd expect it to be. People who are pushed too far fight back. Also, recall how important he was to the communist group because of his speaking ability, yet we don't hear the speeches, and the people are categorized as basically animals. Huge mobs just listening to him. He often seems to be speaking to a deaf and silent audience, even though it was described what a huge effect he had on everyone.
An important point to note is what the main character knows and experiences, what we as readers know and experience, and what "actually" happens in the world of the novel. Perspective and subjectivity come into play here too.</p>
<p>Sorry, I read this last year for summer reading and just felt an urge to start typing stuff I remember.</p>
<p>Oh, and "for the math/science guy taking AP Eng" isn't an excuse! :)
I'm going to be studying math but I still like literature. Try to get into it and enjoy it without trying to categorize it. I understand how you might have a mindset and a way of understanding things around you, but you really have to experience it, and then you begin to really get english classes.</p>
<p>Okay, to summarize it in a single sentence:</p>
<p>The Invisible Man is all about race.</p>
<p>At least that's what my AP Eng teacher said. So I went through and read it with that in mind, et voila, he was right.</p>
<p>-____- i read a story named Invisible man when i first came here and i was in ESL back then.....
i better check up the one u guys r talking about - -</p>