tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425514987715337437.post6309364910853320742..comments2024-03-26T22:47:45.276-07:00Comments on Intro to Critical Reading: A One Dimensional Invisible ManAdamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16302919444091859459noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425514987715337437.post-35686891498342750722012-04-06T18:47:55.693-07:002012-04-06T18:47:55.693-07:00I don't like broad generalizations "throu...I don't like broad generalizations "throughout history..." but you rapidly move into relevant and interesting territory. Ellison is obviously alive to social class as well as race (and the relationship between the two) - it's a good area to focus upon.<br /><br />Your reading of Marcuse is good and focused. You have also, incidentally, zeroed in on one of the few moments in Marcuse which directly refers to the sort of shared space of race and class. That might not be important to your argument, but it's a nice touch.<br /><br />An aside on the idea that his success is "a triumph for the whole community." The other young men hate his guts - which indicates, at the least, that the triumph isn't universally felt; this seems like it could strengthen your argument. <br /><br />I liked your second to last paragraph. What happens here - and happens throughout - is that the narrator is set seemingly above other black men, in a way that reinforces that he is a privileged member of his class, rather than belonging to the "higher" class.<br /><br />Jesse's idea to move to Bledsoe is a very good one. If there is someone who challenges your argument, it's him; therefore, a revision would need to deal with him (or your argument would need to shift a little). You would also need to ultimately deal with the Brotherhood, and the question of whether the same process that we see going on at the Battle Royale is happening more subtly in the Brotherhood.<br /><br />A good start - your narrow focus on the very beginning of the novel is fine, but any revision would need to expand its scope, and work with that expanded scope. The most obvious criticism of this draft is Bledsoe's absence, which surely would need addressed.Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16302919444091859459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425514987715337437.post-53167135146541379032012-04-06T07:26:49.513-07:002012-04-06T07:26:49.513-07:00I think the argument that you are proposing here i...I think the argument that you are proposing here is accurate and well guided through the use of Marcuse and Ellison. The cited passages that you have here are explained nicely and fit well with your overall argument. The example of the narrator's invitation to the event and later involvement in the battle royal is probably one of the strongest examples to support your argument. You have an excellent focus as this essay does not wonder off into other, less-related areas.<br /><br />For a revision, it would be great to see more engagement with both Marcuse and Ellison. The examples you have here are good, but providing a few more examples with more insight would aid this essay greatly. A good example to use may be Mr. Bledsoe's position in the world. While he is in a position of power, he is in a position of servitude to the established white-dominated society. He is not really transcending social status, but merely exemplifying the importance that our society places on it. Also, how Bledsoe aids in the perpetuation of class difference may also be of great importance here. I'm sure Marcuse has a ton more to say about this as well.<br /><br />Overall, this is a fantastic starting point. You already have a clear, focused, and supported argument at hand. With more examples and outside research on this topic, I am very confident this will turn into an excellent revision. Good Luck!Jesse Vihlidalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13719287261720193798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425514987715337437.post-33790992938547767432012-04-05T21:30:36.772-07:002012-04-05T21:30:36.772-07:00I really like what you have so far, I think it'...I really like what you have so far, I think it's a solid argument that you could do a lot with. I think social class, and for that matter, hierarchy, are two subjects that are not only heavily intertwined with each other, but also with a variety of other works that we have read in class. If you were to consider this essay as a contender for your final project and revision, I might recommend that you maintain this general argument (emulating the highest class as a way of maintaining the status-quo) and explore the idea through other works that we have talked about in class, or perhaps look into an alternative to this system as suggested by other books or articles that you can find. For instance, Lilith's Brood seems to focus a lot on hierarchy and how it is a fatal flaw within humanity, and what the Ooloi are trying to do to "fix" it. I'm not sure how you would feel about an aspect like that in your argument, but nonetheless I think those are the types of questions and the type of research you might want to start looking into if you are thinking about using and expanding this idea and making it into your final project.Mia Bencivengahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16738528308799429643noreply@blogger.com