Literature-In-English Paper 2 WASSCE (PC 2ND), 2021

Question 6

 

RALPH ELLISON: Invisible Man

 

Discuss the theme of racial discrimination in the novel


Observation

 

This question requires the candidates to give a comprehensive assessment of the theme of racial discrimination in the novel.

Candidates were expected to discuss the following:

  • Statement of the theme of racial discrimination.
  • Explanation of racial discrimination: racial discrimination applies to an unequal relationship between whites and blacks. The prologue is pregnant with instances of racial discrimination.
  • Manifestations of racial discrimination: the battle royal, in which the black boys are made to fight as a form of entertaining the whites; the narrator’s abortive valedictory speech, the visit of Mr. Norton to Trueblood, the bus ride to New York, the eviction of the old couple, the story of Trueblood.
  • Implications of racial discrimination: there is so much violence in the world of the novel; the protagonist is forced to engage in criminal acts such as his battle with the Monopolated Light & Power.

Candidates performed creditably well.