View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Ellison, for what have African Americans historically had to fight?

2. How is the narrator's invisibility related to his residence?

3. What does the man in Emerson's office imply after reading the letter given him by the narrator?

4. Why is the narrator unable to see Mr. Bates?

5. Of what does the vet accuse Mr. Norton?

Short Essay Questions

1. What literary device is used in Chapter 4?

2. What does the narrator notice while waiting for his appointment with the trustees?

3. What is the objective of Rev. Barbee's sermon?

4. Who are the sleeping ones?

5. Why was the narrator doomed to fail at the paint factory?

6. What mistake does the veteran doctor predict the narrator will make?

7. What does the narrator expect from his visit with Mr. Bates?

8. Why is important to know that the introduction was written 30 years after the novel itself?

9. To what kind of action has music called the narrator?

10. Why do the grandfather's dying words make the narrator feel guilty about receiving praise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the use of white vs black and dark vs light throughout the novel. How are these contrasting concepts used in unexpected ways?

Essay Topic 2

Being invisible can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. By the end of the novel, how does the narrator intend to use his invisibility? Is the state of being invisible to the inner eye of other people something that can be changed? If so, how? If not, why not?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the symbolism of the following items: the figurine bank, the dark glasses, the briefcase, the dancing dolls, the piece of chain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 841 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample