Invisible Man

**Quiz Question — *Invisible Man* by Ralph Ellison** At the very beginning of *Invisible Man*, the unnamed narrator explains that he is "invisible" because: A) He has a supernatural ability to become physically unseen. B) He lives underground and never interacts with society. C) People refuse to see him as an individual due to his race. D) He wears a disguise to hide his identity from his enemies. **Correct Answer: C** *Explanation:* In the Prologue, the narrator makes it clear that his invisibility isn’t about being unseen in a supernatural way — it’s a social and psychological issue tied to racism. White society chooses not to recognize his individuality and humanity, which leaves him feeling "invisible" as a person.

ap_lit · common_core_ela · ib_lang_lit

**Quiz Question — *Invisible Man* by Ralph Ellison** At the very beginning of *Invisible Man*, the unnamed narrator explains that he is "invisible" because: A) He has a supernatural power that makes him physically unseen. B) He lives underground and never ventures into public. C) People refuse to truly see him because of his race. D) He wears a disguise to hide his identity from his enemies. **Correct Answer: C** *Explanation:* In the Prologue, the narrator makes it clear that his invisibility isn’t about being literally unseen or having supernatural abilities; it stems from social and psychological factors — white society chooses not to recognize his full humanity and individuality due to his race. This metaphor of invisibility is central to the novel's exploration of race, identity, and selfhood in America.

ap_lit · common_core_ela · ib_lang_lit

Which of the following best explains why the narrator of Ralph Ellison's *Invisible Man* sees himself as "invisible"? A) He can become physically unseen with supernatural powers. B) Society overlooks him because white Americans refuse to see him as an individual due to his race. C) He lives underground and has no interactions with others. D) He disguises himself throughout the novel to conceal his identity. **Correct Answer: B** *Explanation: The narrator's invisibility symbolizes how racism leads white society to ignore his individuality and humanity, perceiving him only as a stereotype instead of recognizing him as a real person.*

ap_lit · ap_lang · common_core_ela