Ap Literature

Period 4
October 22, 2009
2005 Freewrite AP Lit Essay Question

2005, Form B. One of the strongest human drives seems to be a desire for power. Write an essay in which you discuss how a
character in a novel or a drama struggles to free himself or herself from the power of others or seeks to gain power over
others. Be sure to demonstrate in your essay how the author uses this power struggle to enhance the meaning of the work

1. Ralph Ellison in TIM, uses the narrator, an unnamed character to demonstrate the difficulty to
remain true to one’s constantly changing identity in the face of various factions within society. TIM
strives to find personal power through what seems like gateways to more independence and
recognition, first through the Tuskegee Institute and then later with the Brothers organization.
However this is not true, as he discovers that these powerful forces simply sees him a vehicle to be
used.
a. Identity is power because knowledge of who you are gives you power to do
things;confidence.
2. Tuskegee Institute- TIM tries to find power through education in order to better represent his
race actuality the education is just a pony show for white people to feel good.
a. Mr. Norton doesn’t see him as a person, but merely a representative of “his race”
i. Places a requirement that he must be successful, not looking at his indivisuality
ii. Used to fulfill sense of purpose and goodwill, atonement almost
b. “need disillusional hard workers for the cause”
i. simply puppet
c. Dr. Bledsoe- manipulatates TIM & white people
3. Big brothers
a. Seems like good organization; no racism but htat is downfall because they refuse to
recognize indivisuality must be group
i. Don’t let TIM do own speeches
ii. Gives him a new identity, doesn’t even ask for his name, must follow the tenets of
the organization
b. TIM follows along, finally seems to have power & authority but still loyal to the group
i. Pg 397 “individuals don’t count for much, its what the group wants.. does., Every
one submerges personal ambition.. achievement”
ii. Later accused of trying to gain power and fame  sent out of Harlem
c. Uses people- “organizing energy, don’t see them as people but use them for the energy”
d. Used TIM for his race, blind to his existence
e. Pg 473- not to ask them, tell them
4. Enpowered by being invisible.
a. Pg 7- withouth light, I am not only invisible, but formless as well…….. did not become
alive until I discovered my invisibility.