ENGL 227 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Ralph Ellison, Emmanuel Levinas, Dialectic
Document Summary
Develops an individualistic approach that manifests itself through his literature. Symbolic reference, but subtle use of them- transitions between subtle and overt. Took him about 5 years to finish it symbolism: 208: an invisible man. Edgar allan poe and hollywood movies american gothic tradition on the one hand and the ectoplasm (cheap hollywood, spook) Looking to your culture to find figures and characters. Trying to create distance because part of what he"s getting as an african/ He is present in some sort of physical form, but people don"t perceive him. Ironic lines ((might even have a mind): 209: mugged by an invisible man (emmanuel levinas) Symbolism: knife and the light of the car stabbing epiphany (sudden insight) that comes suddenly. What"s lost is the actual motivation and any sense of the subjectivity of the individual. Emmanuel levinas categories prevent us from actually seeing the other person (categories--. Part of his philosophy: 209: monopolated light & power.