INVISIBLE MAN BY RALPH ELLISON

CHAPTER FOUR SUMMARY

• The narrator returns back to campus but fears he will be expelled
• After he informs Bledsoe of the events, he's told to speak to him later
• When arriving at Mr. Norton's room, Dr. Bledsoe is not there
• However, the narrator is not expelled by Bledsoe
• Mr. Norton informs the narrator everything is taken care of

TONE/QUOTES

• "Now even the rows of neat dormitories seemed to threaten me,
• the rolling laws appearing as hostile as the gray highway with
• it's white dividing line" pg 99
• "Here within this quiet greenness I possessed the only identity
• I had ever known, and I was losing it" pg 99

TONE

• These quotes establish the tone for the chapter
• The campus remains a quiet, comfortable environment
• However, the narrator is terrified of being expelled
• The images contrast each other, creating a bright yet somber tone

DICTION

• Contrast between Mr. Norton and the narrator
• Mr. Norton is highly educated above the narrator
• The narrator is of lower social status and this is evident in his diction

IRONY

• Everyone around the narrator is seemingly care free
• The narrator is overwhelmed, solemn, and weary
• After so much anticipation of being expelled, the
• narrator is let off the hook