Invisible Man: Crash Course Literature 308
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- čas přidán 23. 08. 2016
- This week, we’re on to reading Ralph Ellison’s great novel about the black experience in America after World War II, Invisible Man. John will teach you about Ellison’s nameless narrator, and his attempts to find his way in a social order that dehumanizes him and renders him invisible at every turn. Ellison’s novel follows its hero from his childhood in the south to his many attempts to make sense of the world in New York City, and it takes him through, explosions, activism, and riots.
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This is how dumb I am.... I bought Invisible Man thinking it was The Invisible Man, and I'm like 4 chapters in going "when does someone turn friggin invisible!?!?!" I kept reading though cuz damn this book is engaging.
This is the best comment on the internet.
Dude, he stated that he wasn't truly invisible (like having the superpower) but was meant metaphorically in the prologue.
@@larrystalinski69 oh damn, my bad. Sounds like a good book though.
I'm honestly surprised at how dismissive many of these comments are. *Yes*, this book discusses race, any book with a black protaganist pre-1960s had to so, as this was an inescapable aspect of their life. But it is so much more than just that; stripped back it is about a man finding himself, in a world that wishes not to see him. It's about the human experience. If your blind anti-SJW hate can make you willingly dismiss pieces of art because they don't fit in your narrow political agenda, you are truly ignorant.
You are over exagerateing dismisve sure but not blind rage.
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+Jingle Lam Thank you for perfectly proving his point so succinctly.
hey everybody lets all gather round and do the confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance dance
This book is very good.
Like, I don't have any deep comments or anything to add, Ralph Ellison was a master of illustration with words.
As an artist in training, if I can improve enough to convey HALF as much emotion and meaning as Ellison did with his writing, I'll consider myself a success.
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A lot of you want to critique the black experience in America, but a lot you don't want to learn about the black experience in America. It's sad to see honestly.
Abandon all hope - Ye Who Enter The Comment Section.
so far I've seen people calling BLM a terrorist organization, someone saying that blacks are treated "too good" in our society and other... less than humane things. ^.^
TBH, I had really low expectations, and after reading some comments I'm really disappointed.
White supremacy is alive and well.
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Ellison's perspective on Louis Armstrong as a subversive figure is also really important to Invisible Man. Armstrong relates to the grandfather's advice, there is an enormous amount of symbolic resonance in the fact that the narrator listens to Armstrong on repeat while living underground. Ellison's essay "On Bird, and Bird Watching" about the difference between Charlie Parker and Louis Armstrong is very informative background reading for Invisible Man
As a chemical engineer, I need humanities in my life. This is sorta what I live for.
I'm an electronics and communication engineer and I feel the same
I read Invisible Man in 1994 in my American Literature class. I started my paper in this way - " While he is constrained in his ability to deal with a society filled with hypocrisy and false values, the Invisible Man is definitely not powerless. The most useful weapon or valuable asset the Invisible Man possesses in his life is his conscience and consciousness. To be sure, the Invisible Man is a man of judgement, he can distinguish between good and bad." As an international student from Hong Kong, I found this cold war classic amazing, one of my all-time favorites.
Comment section: look at all the bigots in the comment section, clearly we haven't progressed very far :(
CZcams Comment Algorithm: *hides comments from me*
Wait it can do that. I was wondering about this over several videos. About comments which have 100s of likes and talk about bigotry in the fellow comments but I never found any. I was beginning to think those ppl had deleted thier comments. Damn it would have been better that way. U sure there is a hiding algorithm
I feel like you need a 2 hour video to dive in deeper to a lot of this book
I took a class in African American literature at my college and I found it to be amazing. I'm not saying that a single class will make you understand the oppression that blacks have gone through, but it will help you foster insight, respect, and understanding. Though things have gotten much better than they were from 1910-1970, racism is still prevalent. If you want to read some works that are excellent in the movement, I would recommend the following: Their Eyes Were Watching God (Zora Neale Hurston), Native Son; Black Boy (Richard Wright), The Bluest Eye; Beloved; Song of Solomon (Toni Morrison), The White Boy Shuffle (Paul Beaty), and Passing (Nella Larson).
they have gotta much better? says you.
Mr. Green, thank you. When I read this book in high school I thought I had read it wrong - is that a even a thing? - because it did read like a fever dream. I enjoyed it because of this, but thought I had missed something. Keep up the good work, you and everyone else at CrashCourse!
I wish people had more civil discourse rather than saying "I don't like BLM or dealing with racial problems so I immediately dismiss all viewpoints of the opposing perspective." Only with an open mind and a willingness to grow can this country overcome the problems that plague its heart
Is it actually that simple in your eyes? I can name a dozen reasons I'm against BLM. They NEED a leader who doesn't spew white hate or promote riots. Blocking highways and taking over gay parades is pretty entitled. Screaming at debates and stealing microphones doesn't sound very open minded. They try to censor media like Melissa Click. Then they go out and shoot a white kid in Milwaukee. The black Dallas police chief was fired after calling them a hate group. They also still see Michael Brown as a victim when it's proven that he isn't.
I'm all for peaceful protest, but that's not what BLM is. Without a leader they're just a mob that will riot when the media gives them something to be angry about.
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***** If you watch the vlogbrothers channel you'll understand. I think it relates to the youtube algorithm that pushes things to the top of the list generally by controversy/replies instead of thumbs up.
***** Yeah, it's definitely bumping. CZcams's algorithm favour comments that spark a lot of discussion (number of comments), but thumbs up are not weighted as nearly as important. So a "+" comment is like a like, but a like that will actually boost the comment towards the top.
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Thanks for the review, John! I read this novel in my African American Literature class in college and remember really loving it, but finding it to be dense and difficult and so complex, at the same time. I will definitely need to revisit this novel soon. Ellison's novel is brilliant and still so resonant today.
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No really, It truly was... Just finished today..
I just wanted to let you know that I am working on my PhD and studying for comprehensive exams. As I work through all this reading, these videos are helping me to identify and understand larger themes in the novels better. Great quality and wonderful insight. Thank you!
this novel feels like the story of Malcolm X's life
I'm so happy crash course literature is continuing! This made my day
Thank you for your presentation. I just finished reading the book and there were some things I didn't get, especially in the ending. Let's say you answered some of my questions. Thanks again!
I didn't appreciate this book when I read it in IB English, but since then I have come to love and be in awe of this book. More people need to read this :)
John I just wanted to say thank you for your crash course literature series I throughly enjoy learning about these different books I hope after this series you do more because I love them so much!
Extremely relevant today. Race aside, this also points to class and the invisibility of being poor and wanting to participate in "democracy". Whether it's color or social standing, the symbolism of this book resonates the same.
Read Invisible Man in the mid-seventies in my Black Lit class. My instructor always talked about finding your identity and this book helped in that regard. One of my all-time favorites!
While this book was a milestone in Civil rights, I don’t like when people try to pigeonhole a book into a solely having a certain political agenda. Ellison himself saw literature as timeless, and the book is not just about racism but also about the human experience as a whole. Even the last quote of the book argued that it “speaks for you” I.e. the reader. Its ability to bring a necessary humanitarian and racial perspective to the forefront while also being so universal is amazing.
Sooo much better then "thug notes" ( and mind you I cringe when I use that name) review, they totally negated the racial implications of the whole book.
All of these videos are awesome! I keep adding books to read to my list thanks to this channel :)
I did not know about this book before, but I've become intensely curious. Thanks for the video, John + Crash Course team!
Awwwwww yeah! An incredible race & society novel that I haven't yet read; thank you, John, for making something awesome more accessible to me :)
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+Harrison Wade ?
+Connor Shea He said " *-* "
17inchcorkscrew +
Good crash course, powerful book analyzing social differences.
Thanks for video! Very interesting. One of my favorite books. It has an existential quality to it. Almost like Camus' Stranger.
This is crazy, I just watched a Ralph Ellison documentary in my Literature class last night.
Literally I have a prerequisite assignment on this book due in a couple days and this is such a big help thank you thank you thank you!
Mr. Green, glad the world has you and the team. Always a great thing it is to learn. Is that a weird sentence, do I teach English, yes so...I like it and did it on purpose.
First of all, thank you for the video, Crash Course. These little nuggets of information are a delight and I always look forward to them every week.
Second, those who came expecting something else and get butthurt angry, you have your expectations to blame and no one else. There is absolutely no reason to write hostile comments and claim 'false advertising' just because your expectations differ from reality.
These people spent time and ideas to present a high-quality presentation. It's also free. You can help instead by warning people, and then leave when you cannot stomach it anymore. No need to stand on a pedestal and claim martyrdom for such a transgression (in your view).
Dude this is perfect... I have a paper due on this book on Friday! Perfect timing!
Ngl I thought this was gonna be about the H.G. Wells book and thought “oh I love that book I wonder what underlying message I must have missed.
But I was pleasantly surprised with the content of this book.
I read this book last month, and it was undoubtedly, one of the greats. I highly recommend it.
I loved this book way more than I thought I would.
I am enjoying this great novel..... and it's most excellent writing... thank you for the youtube "Crash Course" review... also well done.
I knew of the book and did get it confused with HG Wells' book. Great job telling me why this book is so important.
Thank god I found this video, I finally understand this book 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Ive read this book as a teen and again as an adult.Never got this much out of it. Thanks.
Upvote for a House of Leaves episode, the cult classic of our time.
I've never read it, but have certainly lived it. Thanks.
I love this. its so inspirational and I now have to read.
You commented deftly on a sophisticated, controversial masterpiece of American literature. Kudos, good sir!
Lmao crash course got all my AP classes know, I love this channel
I read this book a couple years ago for class, and I wasn't a big fan of it mostly because I wasn't able to understand or grapple with a lot of the themes and imagery of the book. I remember being constantly amazed at my instructors analysis of certain sections and my inability to do so. But now, because of this, I think I might reread this, but for my own enjoyment and maybe it will leave more of an impact on me. Especially after the events of the last few years that I've been a part of.
Thank you for this vid, its gonna save me when using this book to talk about the American Dream
Not gunna lie, slightly disappointed it wasn't about an actual invisible man.
well I mean not in a literal sense he is still invisible as explained by John with the symbolism of many people not having accurate sight
yeah but the hg wells one is!
Seriously. I was hoping for some H.G. Wells here.
It is about an invisible man.
he is invisible by the real meaning
Crash course film pls
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I would love to see that
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I loved the journey it shows of having to find oneself in a hidden role because without it you seem to be forced to represent an idea or group in general force.
I used to be invisible, being homeless and untitled, one is invisible to the world.
Or maybe society is blind even in the day light.
Thank you for making my overall experience of invisible man much better then when i read it
Very good video. Thanks
I legit couldn't get past the wall of "no craps given". Until I watched this. John breathed life into this book, gave me a reason to read it, and it was so helpful.
Mat Stogner I feel the exact same way. I was disappointed in myself for not being able to get through this book especially because I love the subject matter. But the events are so boring and it's hard to read it when there isn't much character development since every character just represents a certain type of ideology. This helped me finish it though.
Thanks John green for you cc cup and contacting to Mr. Freek Parkside primary
The Open Letter was spot on! Respect John Green.
This discussion reminds me of the song "Identity" by Lecrae.
Lastly, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" -John 1:12
I loved this book!
What did you love about the book?
this was the first book I read that made me cry
When watching this video my first reaction was surprise that I never read this in high school, then anger at remembering my school was more than a little racist, but finally I was sad because I realized that back in high school I couldn't have appreciated this book because back then I thought I was alot more enlightened about race than I actually was.
If a 10 minute summary takes me through all that, I need to read this book.
Thanks so much this help me understand the story I will remember you guys at the top I promise
This book took seven years to write. wow no wonder I loved it.
Mr. Green you're a magician! You can make school literature interesting!!!!
Great job with the crash course
Great stuff! PS - Does John read from a teleprompter? How does the production go behind the camera for all of his info?
Gotta test tomorrow, so happy this came out today
"This Machine Kills Facists"
***** im just stating it
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+SmartNinjaGamer Well welcome to Crash Course DFTBA :D
"Facists"? I've never heard of them. They must catch an awful lot of flack for being similarly named to that other group.
Woody Guthrie
John, you grew a beard!!!!!!!!!! I haven't watched you for a while so this is really new to me. You grew a beard!!!!
Well done!
I'M SO EXCITED FOR THIS
awesome! this taught me a lot!
I just bought the book and this just showed up in my recommended feed and same for other books I’ve bought. It’s starting to feel like my phone is watching me.
Okay you convinced me, I'll read it.
Lets give a step foward, make a video on Nabokov's Lolita.
That's one of my favourite books and it would be awesome to see John Green's take on it,, but I'm pretty sure this video series is targeted mainly at high school students, and I'm also pretty sure Lolita isn't taught in high schools....
You made me add this to my reading list. 8 days till my university semester starts. Challenge accepted
Favorite chapter: working at the paint factory
This is the best channel on CZcams
Thanks John
All people everywhere have the right to be not invisible, to develop their own identity, and to be respected.
These are magnificent words
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GET A REAL CHRISTMAS FERN
This is an immeasurably beautiful book, much like the verdant veins which checkerboard a live fern's frawns
Thank god I have to read this for AP Lit
i wish i could have watched this last week when i had to write an essay on this book!
This is the only CrashCourse video without transcription. Please upload the subtitle~
Good luck to all the thought café team which still does the best job ever.................. Cheers !
yooooo just in time. we just started this book in AP lit. (Also I bought the HG Wells book on accident so now I own both oops)
This was a really good video
This video was spectacular! It reminds me a bit of Nietzschean philosophy, and you can get the very human themes expressed in this novel from the video. I really want to check it out now. Thank you for the video, John! DFTBA.
I wish I could "thumbs up" this a thousand times
I thoroughly enjoyed this video, as all your videos! I would love to see a video on the older The Invisible Man (HG Wells, was it?) as that's what I thought this one was going to be about, which is only because of my own ignorance. There are no bad Crash Course videos and I've learned a great deal from them already, even though I only discovered your channel a few weeks ago! Thank you for all of the wonderful insights and ways of thinking you've introduced my mind too, as well as helping me understand literature, history and humanity in general better. I love your channel! :)
Aww, I just finished Well's book yesterday. I thought I might have something to add.
Where was this video when I needed it a month ago?!?!!!
You should do an H.G. Wells book. I loved this video though. Great job as usual CrashCourse team
Next is the last episode. "Sula" by Toni Morrison
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"The Time Machine" is my favourite book. I read it three times in German and three times in Englisch, which is a lot considering that every other book ever I read only once.
War of the Worlds ftw
Corey Newhard dont like aliens, anything else?
I kind of was hoping for some H.G. Wells up in here, but i should *definitely* read this book.
seufz...i wish he would read some of Heinrich Bölls books...Johns point of view would really fit to describe the situations of the persons after the "Nullpunkt" (after WWII)...
love. thank you!
thank you.
These critical reflections on obscure works have been of such a great benefit to my life. Thank you so much for taking the time to thoughtfully craft each episode.
this is. not obscure. it’s one of the most iconic works of American literature of the 50s and maybe the biggest work of fiction about race in the last century.
Adoro o João Verde, great video!
I love this John Green is a bloody god
Is there a reason Crash Course vids haven't had captions recently? I'm a bit hard of hearing that captions are really helpful.