Invisible Man
How is the quote "What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?" (Ellison 576) related to ideas of individuality and what it means to be human?
In order to be human, one must let go of outside influence and focus on their own life, decisions, and beliefs.
Who says "I simply suggested the superior man may have the right, though not legal, to allow his conscience to overstep other obstacles..." (Dostoevsky 36), and what is the context of it?
Raskolnikov, when he’s talking to Porfiry about his article “On Crime” and his extraordinary man theory.
Based on the quote, “They would be good beyond measure to the people on the estate, but alone, perhaps, rather dull” (Woolf 125), what are Clarissa’s ideologies on what it means to be human?
Clarissa believes that conforming to societal expectations and marrying a man leads to a lack of individuality. She takes this ideology and believes it defines what it means to be a human.
“I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me…. When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves, or figments of their imagination—indeed, everything and anything except me” (Ellison 3). Which character in either Crime and Punishment or Mrs. Dalloway would most closely relate to this quote from the Invisible Man?
Mrs. Dalloway; society only sees her for what she’s supposed to be - a middle-aged woman with a one-dimensional purpose and without complex feelings and desires
What does Ras the Exhorter think it means to be human?
Ras believes that being human is to fight for what you believe in, and not to roll over in the face of an occasional defeat.
What does Luzhin think being human means?
Power and control, humans act only to benefit themselves.
How do Clarissa’s and Peter Walsh’s ideologies on what it means to be human differ?
Clarissa thinks being human is giving up individuality for comfort, while Peter Walsh believes that it is better to give up comfort for individuality.
How do Dr. Bledsoe’s and Luzhin’s ideologies on what it means to be human relate to one another?
Both are selfish and care less about others as humans in favor of personal gain and reputation.
Who says the quote “When I discover who I am, I’ll be free” (Ellison 243), and how does this quote relate to the character’s ideology of what it means to be human?
Invisible Man. He thinks being a free human is knowing who you want to be and not focusing on the opinions of others.
How do Raskolnikov’s and Sonya’s ideologies on what it means to be human differ?
Sonya believes that all humans should pay for their sins and seek redemption, while Raskolnikov believes that some people are above that.
How do Elizabeth’s and Clarissa’s ideologies on what it means to be human relate and differ?
Elizabeth hopes to rebel against her mother's ways and have individuality and freedom, which, contrarily, relates to Clarissa’s beliefs as a child. Clarissa believes that Elizabeth, too, will ultimately conform to societal expectations.
From Raskolnikov’s perspective, would the Invisible Man be “ordinary” or “extraordinary?” Does that change throughout the IM’s journey?
Raskolnikov thinks being human is being “ordinary” - following both rules and leaders without the backbone to take steps toward power. IM fits that definition while at the college and in the Brotherhood before he stands up to the Brotherhood and breaks their rules of operation.
This symbolic object represents both submission to and defiance of the pressures of society for the protagonist. By the end of the story, he lets go of this item to find what it means to be human for his individual self.
Briefcase
How does the quote, “The man who has a conscience suffers whilst acknowledging his sin. That is his punishment” relate to a major theme of what it means to be human within the text?
Internal suffering connects one to humanity, as shown by Raskolnikov’s guilt, suffering from his wrongdoings, and ultimately seeking out redemption
How is the quote “...this being Mrs. Dalloway; not even Clarissa anymore; this being Mrs. Richard Dalloway” (Woolf 9) related to the theme of losing individuality to gain comfort?
The shift from Clarissa to a title defined by her husband symbolizes how her marriage has erased her independent sense of self and identity of her youth, even her own name.
Mrs. Dalloway reflects on how she has been “… a meeting-point, a radiancy no doubt in some dull lives, a refuge for the lonely to come to, perhaps, she had helped young people, who were grateful to her, had tried to be the same always, never showing a sign of all the other sides of her--faults, jealousies, vanities, suspicions….” (Woolf 27). How is Raskolnikov’s perspective similar to and different from this thought of Clarissa’s?
Both characters struggle with their identity and societal expectations. Neither wants to be seen as suspicious or having faults. However, while Clarissa is trying to live within the societal role she was given, Raskolnikov is trying to defy it.
Who says the quote, “Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat” (Ellison 577), and how does it relate to ideas of what it means to be human within the text?
IM within the epilogue. True humanity is not about control or conformity to societal pressures, but rather engagement with life.
Who says “Lying in one’s own way is almost better than telling the truth in someone else’s way” (Dostoevsky 313), and how does this relate to what it means to be human?
Razumikhin; humans are all individuals and should not act to please others if it does not match their own identities.
After hearing about Septimus’ suicide, Clarissa has “an embrace in death” (Woolf 130). From this, what can we gather about the impact of Septimus’s suicide on Clarissa’s view of what it means to be human?
Septimus's death forced Clarissa to reconsider how she is currently living mentally, leading her to see life as fragile and vulnerable.
How do Septimus’s and Svidrigailov’s suicides compare and differ, and how do they reflect each character’s perception of humanity?
Both can’t fulfill their definitions of humanity; Septimus isn’t able to feel emotion, connect with people, or fully return to society. Svidrigailov lives by doing whatever he wants in pursuit of his own pleasure and satisfaction - he commits suicide when he realizes he can’t find that satisfaction by obtaining Dunya’s love.