Invisible man
Invisible Man: The Black College
In the novel by Ralph Ellison, the narrator reveals several attitudes using figurative language. Within the novel the narrator’s feelings towards the black college begin to change more and more. Throughout chapter 2 Ellison uses several literary devices to reveal the narrator’s attitude before and after venturing inside. In the beginning, as the narrator flashbacks to his first time at the college, he uses forms of imagery, and at first gives positive descriptions. He describes the “beautiful college” and how the “honeysuckle and purple wisteria” scents filled his nose. He expresses how the roads were “gracefully winding” with “wild roses that dazzled”. The imagery portrays the college as appeasing to the senses. The view of the college on the outside is very positive when described, but changes as the chapter progresses. Moving further into the chapter, the attitude of the narrator begins to shift through tone. Towards the end of the paragraph, on page 34, the narrator describes how he “ventured down the road where a red glow from the furnace” glared through. He walks further where the “beautiful college” turns into an “insane asylum.” The narrator’s eye opening change suddenly gives light to deeper feelings. Also down the road, the narrator begins to ‘see’ the college’s true essence. Instead of “honeysuckle and purple wisteria” he see “broken glass and sun heated stones.” He hears sounds of “drunken laughter of sad, sad whores.” The tone of the narrator goes from cheerful to somber as he ventures further and further into the college. The shift suggests the negative attitude towards the college. Lastly, the narrator’s attitude toward the college is revealed through details. As the narrator reached the center of the campus he sees the students. He describes them as “robots” and “white washed.” Initially, the narrator is looking upon the irony of their “eyes blind” and how unaware they are of the white supremacy. At the
In the novel by Ralph Ellison, the narrator reveals several attitudes using figurative language. Within the novel the narrator’s feelings towards the black college begin to change more and more. Throughout chapter 2 Ellison uses several literary devices to reveal the narrator’s attitude before and after venturing inside. In the beginning, as the narrator flashbacks to his first time at the college, he uses forms of imagery, and at first gives positive descriptions. He describes the “beautiful college” and how the “honeysuckle and purple wisteria” scents filled his nose. He expresses how the roads were “gracefully winding” with “wild roses that dazzled”. The imagery portrays the college as appeasing to the senses. The view of the college on the outside is very positive when described, but changes as the chapter progresses. Moving further into the chapter, the attitude of the narrator begins to shift through tone. Towards the end of the paragraph, on page 34, the narrator describes how he “ventured down the road where a red glow from the furnace” glared through. He walks further where the “beautiful college” turns into an “insane asylum.” The narrator’s eye opening change suddenly gives light to deeper feelings. Also down the road, the narrator begins to ‘see’ the college’s true essence. Instead of “honeysuckle and purple wisteria” he see “broken glass and sun heated stones.” He hears sounds of “drunken laughter of sad, sad whores.” The tone of the narrator goes from cheerful to somber as he ventures further and further into the college. The shift suggests the negative attitude towards the college. Lastly, the narrator’s attitude toward the college is revealed through details. As the narrator reached the center of the campus he sees the students. He describes them as “robots” and “white washed.” Initially, the narrator is looking upon the irony of their “eyes blind” and how unaware they are of the white supremacy. At the