battle royal analysis essay

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Battle Royale Ralph Ellison Analysis Example

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A Literary Analysis

‘Battle Royal’ is a powerful and evocative story that Ellison later made the opening chapter of his novel, Invisible Man (1952) ‘Battle Royal’ was originally written in 1947 and is, therefore, set in 1927 in an unnamed state in the American South.. It is an engaging text, not only because of its content and subject matter, but also because of Ellison’s writing – especially his manipulation of point of view and his meshing of past and present. Hos perspective as narrator looking back twenty year allows him to criticize the cruelty and hypocrisy of the Sooth’s segregationalist policies – which had not changed when the story and then the novel were published. Ellison loses little figurative language, but when he does it usually is used to de-value the humans in the story, so ther are several similes comparing men to animals or to worthless inanimate objects: one of the whit men present at the Battle Royal is an “intoxicated panda” 24); the narrator feels as if he is in a room “filled with poisonous cottonmouths” (25); the boys involved in the fight are “blind, cautious crabs” (25); their fist grope around in the darkness “like the knobbed feelers of hypersensitive snails” (22); the men watching the final two are “howling” like animals in their violent excitement (25). The effect of this use of figurative language is to dehumanize all the characters, black and white, and present them as animals. This is certainly appropriate to the Battle Royal which caters for the most basic impulses human beings can have: lust (the naked white woman); greed (the frantic scrambling for cash by the African Americans); and violence (the battle itself). Another pattern if imagery is drawn from the world of warfare and international confrontation: in a way it is the basis of the story given the title ‘Battle Royal,’ but it is also apparent in the narrator’s thoughts about his grandfather’s death bed words: “traitor, “spy” and “treachery” (17) suggest the world of international espionage. As the story progresses we start to have a sense that the narrator’s younger self mis-interpreted hos grandfather’s words. He thinks he is betraying the dominant white culture which is responsible in the South for segregation and for the appallingly violent treatment of the African Americans in the Battle Royal, but by the end of the story the reader can see that his grandfather meant that to co-operate with racist white people was an act of betrayal of his own people. The narrator’s younger self is hard-working and complies with the segregationist society he lives in – he plays by the rules of white southern society and is, therefore, a “traitor” to his own race. The story is a first person narrative by an African American. However, he is looking back on his younger self with the hindsight of twenty years’ experience, and, therefore, there is an element of irony in what he describes, because his older self and the readers see some the events that are described differently from the narrator’s younger self. He admits in the first paragraph, “I was naive” (17), which suggests his views have changed radically, and he introduces a concept that readers will not immediately understand. He says that to lose his naive way of looking things, he “had to discover that I am an invisible man.” (17) The first paragraph is important too si establishing that the narrator is intelligent and articulate with an educated vocabulary: “contradiction”, self-contradictory," “expectations,” “realization.” (17) Because the narrator is looking back twenty years, there is an ironic distance between him and his younger self, which allows us to interpret the story more profoundly than if it had been written in the third person. The vents described would still have been seen as racist and abusive and shocking, but the older, first person narrator is used to set up a clear moral viewpoint which implicitly criticises what goes on in this segregationalist’s society. In one sense, the real theme of this story is the narrator’s slow growth and realization of the real meaning of his grandfather’s words. However, on the surface, the real theme is the inhumanity and hypocrisy of the south’s segregationalist policies and the virulent racism that existed beneath the surface of southern society. At the Battle Royal the narrator is surprised to see some of the town’s most distinguished white citizens – businessmen, merchants, lawyers, teachers and even a pastor! They all condone and encourage the black-on-black violence that occurs in ten boxing ring and either react with amusement or hysterically violent encouragement. Ellison does not convey this through directs statements or the characters thoughts: the narrator, we already know is naive, and goes along with the humiliation given to him. Ellison does not tell us; he shows us and the fact that this is being narrated by an educated, older narrator aids our understanding of how to interpret the story. Perhaps the most painful and ironic part of the story is the fact that the narrator is allowed to make his graduation day speech again. However, the second time he delivers this speech the context is completely different and he is being condescended to by the powerful white élite of his town. He has just taken part in the violent and humiliating blindfolded boxing game and the scramble for money from the electrified rug, but, patronizingly, because he is clever they allow him to make his speech, although it is clear that some of the audience are not listening. He body is battered from the fight and the blood from his cuts is almost choking him. Because of this some the phrases from his speech takes on a profound irony: “Social responsibility” and “social equality” – two phrases that surely are hollow in the society he lives in and which are openly mocked by his audience. The older narrator does interject at one point to make clear the naive attitude of his younger self: “(What powers of endurance I had during those days! What enthusiasm! What a belief in the rightness of things!)” (26). The final patronizing and hypocritical humiliation is the presentation of the briefcase containing a “scholarship to the state college for Negroes.” (27). Rather than being angered at the system of segregation which keeps him in his place, the narrator’s younger self is “overjoyed.” (27) This story is a well-written indictment of the institutionalized racism that existed in the South in the first half of the twentieth century.

Ellison, Ralph. ‘Battle Royal’ (1947’. Pages 17 – 32 in Ellison, Ralph. The Invisible Man. (1952). London: Penguin.

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English Studies

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“Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison

Originally published in 1948 by Ralph Ellison, “Battle Royal” is a short story that has become a cornerstone of American literature.

Introduction: “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison

Table of Contents

Originally published in 1948 by Ralph Ellison, “Battle Royal” is a short story that has become a cornerstone of American literature. Part of Ellison’s influential novel Invisible Man , the story follows a young Black man invited to deliver a speech at a gathering of wealthy white men. However, upon arrival, he’s forced to participate in a humiliating and brutal “battle royal” with other Black youths. Blinded by sacks, they fight for the amusement of the white audience.

Famous for its powerful themes of racism, identity, and the fight for social justice, “Battle Royal” has been widely anthologized. A stark portrayal of the ongoing struggle for equality faced by Black Americans, the story remains a relevant and popular work even today.

Main Events in “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison

• Invitation and Dreams: A young Black man, striving for acceptance and recognition, receives a formal invitation to give a speech at a gathering of the town’s most important white men. He imagines this will be his chance to finally break through the barriers of race.
• Degrading Spectacle: Upon his arrival at a hotel ballroom, he becomes an uncomfortable spectator to a degrading spectacle: a blonde woman, adorned with an American flag tattoo, dances provocatively to entertain the raucous white audience.
• Surprise Announcement: Before giving his speech, the young man is informed that he’ll participate in a “battle royal” – a brutal entertainment for the white men. He and other Black youths are blindfolded and thrown into a boxing ring.
• Blindfolded Fight for Survival: Forced to fight for the amusement of the crowd, the blindfolded boys punch wildly and viciously at each other. The young man, driven by anger and fear, attacks the largest of his opponents.
• Pain and Mockery The fight turns into a bloody mess, the white men shouting and jeering. The protagonist endures punches and kicks, the pain intensifying with each blow.
• Electrified “Reward”: Beaten but determined, the young man finally emerges as the last one standing. His “reward” turns into further humiliation as the coins he’s given spill onto an electrified rug, causing him to writhe in pain.
• Distorted Speech: Battered and shaken, he rises to give his carefully prepared speech on humility and social responsibility. But the experience warps his words, filling them with the bitterness of betrayal.
• Unexpected “Prize”: Surprisingly, he is awarded a briefcase containing a scholarship to a Black college. However, this unexpected opportunity brings little comfort after the night’s events.
• Shattered Illusions: The protagonist leaves the gathering disillusioned and broken. His dreams of acceptance are shattered, replaced by a painful awareness of the deep racial divisions within his society.
• Invisible Yet Seen: The night’s trauma haunts him, forever shaping his worldview. He sees himself as both invisible in the eyes of white society, yet painfully visible as a target of their cruelty and manipulation.

Literary Devices in “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison

• Allusion : A reference to a well-known person, place, or event. Example: The protagonist’s speech contains allusions to famous historical figures such as Booker T. Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
• Foreshadowing : A hint or clue about events that will occur later in the story. Example: The protagonist’s dream of his grandfather foreshadows the theme of the story’s ending.
• Imagery : The use of descriptive language to create vivid mental images. Example: The description of the protagonist’s bloody and bruised face after the battle royal creates powerful imagery.
• Irony : A contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs. Example: The protagonist’s speech on the importance of education is ironic, given the violent and dehumanizing events of the story.
• Metaphor : A comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.” Example: The protagonist’s blindness during the battle royal is a metaphor for his inability to see the true nature of his situation.
• Motif : A recurring symbol or theme that is used throughout the story. Example: The motif of the protagonist’s briefcase symbolizes the promise of education and opportunity.
• Onomatopoeia : Words that imitate the sound they represent. Example: The sound of the protagonist being knocked to the ground during the battle royal is described with onomatopoeic language.
• Paradox : A statement that contradicts itself but is nevertheless true. Example: The idea of “an invisible man” is a paradoxical statement that underscores the theme of invisibility and marginalization in the story.
• Personification : Giving human qualities to non-human things. Example: The description of the electric carpet-shocker as a “sadistic bastard” is an example of personification.
• Repetition : Repeating words or phrases for emphasis. Example: The phrase “social equality” is repeated throughout the protagonist’s speech to emphasize his message.
• Satire : Using humor to criticize and expose societal flaws and vices. Example: The story’s depiction of the white audience’s enjoyment of the violent and dehumanizing battle royal is a satirical commentary on the racism and hypocrisy of American society.
• Simile : A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.” Example: The protagonist’s feeling of being “like a dog” during the battle royal is a simile.
• Symbolism : Using an object or action to represent an abstract idea. Example: The protagonist’s briefcase symbolizes the promise of education and opportunity that is denied to black Americans.
• Tone : The author’s attitude towards the subject matter of the story. Example: The story’s tone is one of anger and frustration at the dehumanizing effects of racism and oppression.
• Verbal Irony : A contrast between what is said and what is actually meant. Example: The white men’s praise for the protagonist’s speech is an example of verbal irony, as they do not truly believe in the message he is conveying.

Characterization in “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison

Major themes in “battle royal” by ralph ellison.

• The entire premise of the “battle royal” as entertainment for white men exposes their deep-seated racism and disregard for the humanity of Black people.
• The electrified rug incident further emphasizes the white men’s cruelty and their view of Black people as objects for their amusement.
• The initial invitation and the scholarship offer create a false sense of hope for the protagonist, demonstrating how opportunity is often dangled as a cruel illusion for Black Americans.
• The scholarship takes on a bitter meaning after the humiliation, highlighting the false promise of “reward” within a racist system.
• The protagonist’s struggle to be seen and recognized as an individual, in contrast to the white audience seeing him only as a stereotype.
• The blindfold during the fight symbolizes the blindness of white society to the true complexity and humanity of Black people.
• The protagonist’s naive belief in the sincerity of the invitation is shattered by the night’s events.
• This leads to a deep sense of disillusionment with the possibility of acceptance and equality within the current social order.
• The grandfather’s deathbed warning about undermining from within highlights the long history of struggles for Black liberation.
• The protagonist inherits this burden, carrying both the pain of oppression and a lingering spirit of resistance.

Writing Style in “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison

• Vivid Depictions: Ellison uses graphic descriptions of violence (the chaotic brawl), psychological torment (the protagonist’s humiliation), and the electric shock to create a visceral experience for the reader.
• Exploring Complexity: The story goes beyond physical violence to delve into the protagonist’s complex inner world. We witness his initial hope, confusion during the fight, and ultimate disillusionment.
• Powerful Symbolism: Objects like the blindfolds and the electrified rug become symbolic of larger societal issues – the blindness of racism and the electric shock of oppression.
• Precise Language: Ellison’s word choice is sharp and deliberate, creating an atmosphere of tension and unease. For example, the term “battle royal” itself is a twisted joke, highlighting the barbarity of the event.
• Stream-of-Consciousness: The narrative style puts readers directly in the protagonist’s mind, experiencing his thoughts and feelings as they unfold. This creates a sense of immediacy and allows for a deeper understanding of his emotions.
• Social Commentary: “Battle Royal” is not just about a singular event. It’s a powerful critique of American racism and the dehumanizing treatment of Black Americans.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison

Questions and thesis statements about “battle royal” by ralph ellison.

Marxist Theory

• Original Thesis: “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison can be interpreted through the lens of Marxist theory, which exposes the exploitative nature of capitalism and highlights the power dynamics at play between the wealthy white men and the poor black boys in the story.
• Revised Thesis: “Battle Royal” depicts the ways in which capitalism exploits and dehumanizes Black Americans for the benefit of the white ruling class, revealing the inherent class conflict within American society.
• How does the initial invitation and promise of opportunity serve to manipulate the protagonist and obscure the exploitative nature of the event?
• How does the “battle royal” itself function as a microcosm of capitalist competition, emphasizing the way the system pits the oppressed against each other?
• In what ways does the “reward” of the scholarship perpetuate, rather than disrupt, the existing power structures and economic inequalities?

Critical Race Theory

• Original Thesis: The themes of critical race theory are evident in “Battle Royal,” as the story exposes the institutionalized racism and power structures in American society, highlighting the pervasive nature of racism and the physical and psychological violence experienced by black Americans.
• Revised Thesis: “Battle Royal” demonstrates how racism isn’t merely individual prejudice but rather a system designed to uphold white supremacy; the story reveals how this systemic racism manifests in both overt violence and insidious psychological manipulation.
• How does the setting of the story (the hotel, the gathering of powerful white men) itself embody the institutional power structures of white supremacy?
• In what ways do the events of the “battle royal” serve as a ritualized reinforcement of racial hierarchy, even if some white attendees don’t consciously view it that way?
• How does the language used by the white men and the protagonist’s forced speech expose the psychological violence inherent within a racist system?

Short Question-Answer “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison

• What is the significance of the “battle royal” scene in the story?

The “battle royal” scene in Ralph Ellison’s story is significant in several ways. It serves as a metaphor for the struggle of black Americans to gain equality and dignity in a society that denies them these basic human rights. It also highlights the brutal and dehumanizing nature of racism and the psychological trauma it inflicts upon its victims. The scene is also significant in that it serves as a turning point for the protagonist, who realizes the futility of trying to win the approval of the white men and recognizes the need to fight for his own identity and self-worth.

• How does Ellison use symbolism to convey the themes of the story?

Ellison employs several symbols throughout the story to convey its central themes. For example, the blindfold worn by the protagonist during the “battle royal” can be seen as a symbol of the blindness of American society to the injustice and violence faced by black Americans. Similarly, the protagonist’s speech about the importance of education can be seen as a symbol of the power of knowledge and the need for black Americans to empower themselves through education.

• How does the narrative structure of “Battle Royal” contribute to its meaning?

The nonlinear narrative structure of “Battle Royal” contributes to its meaning by highlighting the fragmented and disjointed nature of the protagonist’s experiences as a black American in a racist society. The story is told in a series of flashbacks and memories, reflecting the protagonist’s own fragmented and confused sense of self. This narrative structure also emphasizes the importance of memory and history in understanding the struggles of black Americans and the need for them to reclaim their own history and identity.

• How does Ellison’s use of imagery contribute to the story’s themes?

Ellison’s use of vivid imagery throughout the story helps to convey its central themes, such as the violence and brutality of racism, the struggle for identity and self-worth, and the importance of education and knowledge. For example, the scene in which the protagonist is forced to fight other black boys while blindfolded is depicted in brutal and graphic detail, emphasizing the dehumanizing nature of racism. Similarly, the imagery of the protagonist’s grandfather’s dying words, which call for resistance against oppression, serves as a powerful symbol of the need for black Americans to fight against the oppressive forces that seek to deny them their humanity.

Suggested Readings: “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison

• Baker, Houston A., Jr. “On Knowing Our Place: A Meditation on Ralph Ellison’s ‘Battle Royal’.” Blues, Ideology, and Afro-American Literature: A Vernacular Theory . Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984, pp. 140-160.
• Butler, Robert. “The Power of Consciousness in Ralph Ellison’s ‘Battle Royal’.” Contemporary Literary Criticism , edited by Jeffrey W. Hunter, vol. 104, Gale, 1998. Gale Literature Resource Center.
• Callahan, John F. “Frequencies of Eloquence: The Ritual of Rhetoric in ‘Battle Royal’.” In the African-American Grain: The Pursuit of Voice in Twentieth Century Black Fiction . University of Illinois Press, 1988, pp. 49-83.
• Fabre, Michel, and Robert G. O’Meally, editors. History and Memory in African-American Culture . Oxford University Press, 1994, pp. 194-212.
• Scott, Nathan A. Jr., “Judgment Marked by a Cellar: The American Negro Writer and the Dialectic of Despair.” Denver Quarterly , vol. 12, no. 2, Summer 1967, pp. 5-35.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Battle Royal — Symbolism in Ralph Ellison’s ‘Battle Royal’

Symbolism in Ralph Ellison's 'Battle Royal'

• Categories: Battle Royal Literary Criticism Symbolism

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Published: Feb 8, 2022

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Racism in Ralph Ellison’s “Battle Royal” Research Paper

Introduction, the problem of racism in “battle royal”, the problem of racism against african-americans in the usa, the relevance of racism and “battle royal” in contemporary usa, works cited.

“Battle Royal” is a short story written by Ralph Ellison that was first published in 1947, and in 1952, it became the first chapter of Ellison’s novel “Invisible Man”. The main focus of the story is the problem of racism, particularly to African-American people in the United States. The name of the novel is symbolic, meaning that a black person would be obedient and invisible for white people until he or she can change this racist state of affairs. The whole book and, particularly, its first chapter “Battle Royal” became of the main incentives of the black movements in the second half of the twentieth century (“An Analysis of Ralph Ellison’s”). Thus, although the problem of racism now is not as significant as it was seventy or especially two hundred years ago, it still has certain unpleasant effects that negatively influence the socio-political situation in the United States.

In general, although Ellison’s story raises many questions, it has become popular primarily for its illustrative description of the problem of racism against African-American people in the United States. Thus, for example, the episodes with the grandfather that give a stimulus to the whole story, which is basically about a naive young man who faces racism and does not know to do. All he wants is to be a good man towards the community he lives in and his family. Moreover, he does not even understand the harmful influence that the relations between the races in the south have on such common actions as making a graduation speech (Hu 1830). Additionally, the story shows the main character what problems regarding racism he will face when he grows up.

In terms of other issues that “Battle Royal” demonstrates and that are further developed in the rest of the book, they include first of all the techniques that the most influential members of the African-American community implement in order to take advantage of other black people using refusing to unite and struggle against their common threat from the side of the white racists. This is vividly illustrated in the episode when Tatlock is reluctant to contrive a defeat. Another theme that is demonstrated by “Battle Royal” is social Darwinism that presupposes that the warriors fight to the end in order to get a prize. The next theme which is important in the story is the negative influence that the reward has on the main character (Ellison 26). One more important theme shown in the story is the necessity for white people to support the symbolic character of their establishments in order to show their superiority over black people.

Thus, if the whole novel describes many responses to the social inequality and racism from the side of black people, “Battle Royal” serves as an abridged version of the question of how to deal with the problem of racism without resorting to violence. The author uses various stylistic devices in order to plunge readers deeply into the narration so that they could feel the pain that the main character experiences and his doubts concerning the decisions he makes (“An Analysis of Ralph Ellison’s”). Moreover, the author emphasizes on the innocence and fairness of the main character who is simply attempting to do everything right in a way that readers from any race or culture could understand his feelings.

The problem of racism against black people in the United States has a long history, which is almost two times longer than the history of the independent United States. Thus, in the sixteenth century, the Europeans who lived in America began transporting black African people to America as slaves so that they worked for them, primarily on plantations. The conditions in which they were transported were horrible, and the attitude towards them was inhumane (Acharya et al. 624). Interestingly, part of the reason for such an attitude was not because of the skin color of African people but because they were much less developed as the Europeans.

Over time, despite the negative for black people’s state of affairs in the country, they succeeded in creating their own identity and in building their community. Nevertheless, they were still slaves even after the declaration of the independence of the United States in 1776. Only at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the first signs of freedom for black people appeared. Some farmers began granting freedom to their slaves who traveled north afterward, where the attitude towards African-Americans was not very harsh.

African-Americans could finally become free when Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery in 1863. Certainly, it caused great indignation among racists and slaveholders, and they organize a rebellion. In quite a short time, their rebellion was crushed, and African-Americans could finally be free and be a part of American society. However, southern racists did not give and created an organization called Ku Klux Klan that focused on executing black people and destroying their communities (Walton et al. 134). Despite living under the threat from this organization, the life of black Americans became much better than it had been before, as the attitude to them changed on the national level.

Although in the twentieth century, Ku Klux Klan became active again, African-Americans managed to create their communities, art, music, and even religion. They already an integral part of society despite the hatred that some people feel towards them. “Battle royal” was written at the time when the third wave of Ku Klux Klan appeared. Certainly, that wave was much less intense than the previous two. This time, the racists aimed primarily at the black activists who organized movements protecting the rights of black people (Du Bois 116). Thus, at that time, the problem of racism against African-Americans was relevant, and the book revealed this issue in detail.

For the past two centuries, the attitude towards African-Americans has overwhelmingly changed to positive. Even for the past seventy years, since the time “Battle Royal” was written, there have been significant changes concerning this problem. Certainly, Ralph Ellison wrote an excellent book that not only vividly demonstrated the problem of racism in the contemporary United States but also tried to make all people, irrespective of their race and culture, understand the absurdity that this problem caused.

In general, “Battle Royal” can be considered partially relevant nowadays. Of course, currently, African-American people have the same rights as white people or any other ethnic groups; especially because Barak Obama, an African-American in origin, was the president of the country for eight years, and for whom, a big percentage of white Americans gave their votes (Miles 83). Even though throughout the election, a slight racial tension between white and black people persisted, the result was a great step forward in the process of the final elimination of racism.

Currently, in the United States, the problem of racism is present in a mild form and primarily on the lowest levels of society. Interestingly, uneducated people are more inclined to racism. Therefore, there can be some clashes between people caused by racism. The current racism is based not on the color of the skin or the level of education of black people but mostly on the specific characteristics of their behavior that have become stereotypes (Bonilla-Silva 1362). For some reason, these characteristics are perceived by white people mostly as negative, which, in turn, causes racist thoughts. Also, the mass media plays a great role, as, according to the statistics, overall, black people play more negative roles in movies than white people. However, according to various sociological studies, the situation is slowly changing to better (Walton et al. 134). Certainly, everything can change, and the reverse process will begin, but now, the problem of racism is gradually disappearing from the list of socio-political problems of the United States.

Ralph Ellison wrote a great book focusing on the problem of racism against African-Americans in the United States. “Battle Royal” is the first chapter of this book that describes a naive man who is not aware of the concept of racism and is simply trying to do everything right. The author tries to demonstrate that racism is illogical and unfair. His novel was relevant at the time when it was written, and it influenced many people then. However, nowadays, the problem of racism is not as intense as it was seventy years ago. Therefore, not all the concepts from the book are still relevant today, but they can be used as a reminder to people about the problems that racism brought to their society.

Acharya, Avidit, Matthew Blackwell, and Maya Sen. “The Political Legacy of American Slavery.” The Journal of Politics , vol. 78, no. 3, 2016, pp. 621-641.

“An Analysis of Ralph Ellison’s “Battle Royal”.” Fiat Vox , Web.

Bonilla-Silva, Eduardo. “The Structure of Racism in Color-Blind, “Post-Racial” America.” American Behavioral Scientist , vol. 59, no. 11, 2015, pp. 1358-1376.

Du Bois, William Edward Burghardt. The Suppression of the African Slave-Trade to the United States of America . Oxford University Press, 2014.

Ellison, Ralph . Invisible Man (2nd ed.) . Vintage Books. 1995.

Hu, Yanwei. ““The End Is in the Beginning”: The Riddle and Interpretation of Ellison’s Invisible Man.” Theory and Practice in Language Studies , vol. 4, no. 9, 2014, pp. 1829-1836.

Miles, Tiya. “National Museum of African American History and Culture.” The Public Historian , vol. 39, no. 2, 2017, pp. 82-86.

Walton, Hanes, Robert C. Smith, and Sherri L. Wallace. American politics and the African American Quest for Universal Freedom . Taylor & Francis, 2017.

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1. IvyPanda . "Racism in Ralph Ellison's “Battle Royal”." October 2, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/racism-in-ralph-ellisons-battle-royal/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Racism in Ralph Ellison's “Battle Royal”." October 2, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/racism-in-ralph-ellisons-battle-royal/.

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Ralph Ellison’s “Battle Royal”: Racism

Introduction, works cited.

The main character of Battle Royal , a short story which was written by Ralph Ellison, describes the life of a young black man, who is forced to endure violent acts of racism towards him and other African-Americans. Even though it depicts the events from centuries ago, the issue that is brought up by the author can still spark controversies and heated discussions even today. That issue is racial discrimination and violence that is caused by it. Such a problem comes into mind naturally when someone thinks about the history of the United States, as the struggles of the African-Americans at the time of slavery are still vividly remembered. In this story, the author powerfully addresses the brutality and dehumanization people of color had to face even after the end of slavery.

Fortunately, nowadays, racism is seen as a crime against humans, and as one of the most destructive characteristics that a man or even a group of people can have. In a civilized and educated society, racism is associated with hatred, anger, and ignorance. Nevertheless, such kind of inequality has been a part of world history since time immemorial. To introduce the reader to the atrocities of racism that African-Americans had to face, Ralph Ellison employs the experience of the main character, a young black boy who strives to achieve his dreams in a predominantly white society.

In the historical period in which the events of Battle Royal occur, people of color were victimized in the workplace even after they have got their freedom. As a recently liberated population, black people were allowed to own neither money nor land. For that reason, the property owners from which they would rent land to cultivate and live in were all white, the majority of them were slave masters before the passage of the 13th Amendment.

However, at that time, people of color may have had their freedom, but not money. As a result, all of their farming essentials had to be borrowed from the white landowners, which was only possible through credit. The conditions of these lending sometimes were too harsh, which later created a vicious cycle for black people as they were never capable of paying it off entirely. In the long run, a crippling debt enslaved once free farmers to the white landowners again. In Battle Royal , the characters are drawn to the final line; many of them may have fallen victims to this kind of situation, and engaging in the fight may have been an effort to pay off what they owed.

Moreover, the Battle Royal was created by white men as a way not only to dehumanize people of color but to turn them against one another. Separating the group of people one by one by making one see another as an enemy is shown as evil and a tactic. Especially unfair it seems if the reader realizes that the unity around the black community was vital at that time. The author uses symbolism to employ that meaning, which is seen in white cloth, which is used to blindfold the fighters.

It represents how white people try to distract their victims from the greater evil that is happening around them. As the narration goes, “all ten of the fighters climbed under the ropes of the ring and allowed themselves to be blindfolded with broad bands of white cloth” (206). The fact that the participant of the Battle Royal accepted that white people blindfolded them further may suggest that African-Americans had come to terms with the obligation to fight.

They were severely dehumanized, almost reduced to animals fighting for survival. The main character emphasizes the point by saying, “Blindfolded, I could no longer control my emotions. I had no dignity” (207). Throughout the battle, which can be easily called a mindless slaughter, the white people do nothing but spectate, mock the fighters, and encourage them to keep going. Nevertheless, even when the fight ends, the horrible torture and humiliation continue. The winners are forced to collect their prize from an electrified rug, and the scene makes the viewers laugh even more. The narrator later finds out that the gold turned out to be “brass pocket tokens advertising a certain make of automobile” (215), although he was too ecstatic from the adrenaline to be upset about it.

In conclusion, I would appear that in Battle Royal , Ralph Ellison illustrated the violence of racial discrimination in a brilliantly disturbing way. Even after the end of slavery, African-Americans were forced to experience inequality and dehumanization by white people.

Regardless of what people of color tried to do so that they could achieve their life dreams and live as equals, it seemed like nothing could accomplish that goal. Fortunately, racist attitudes have significantly decreased in today’s society because centuries have passed since the abolition of slavery in 1865. Moreover, the Civil Rights Movement is popular and recognized around the world. Nevertheless, the story by Ellison may be considered relevant even to the issues of racism that people face nowadays, as acts of racism still occur even in 21st century America.

Ellison, Ralph. Battle Royal: A Portable Anthology . 4th ed., edited by Janet E. Gardner, et. al., Bedford/St.Martin’s, 2017, pp. 203-215.

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StudyCorgi . "Ralph Ellison’s “Battle Royal”: Racism." January 16, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ralph-ellisons-battle-royal-racism/.

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Analysis of The “Battle Royal” Story

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Introduction

The ‘Battle Royal’ is a story written by Ralph Ellison in 1952 with an aim of bringings forth the real social context and experiences of the black people in the post-slavery American society. The writer exhibits the social imbalances experienced by the black people through a story in order to inflict the reality through a different perspective. Though the story is a fiction, the reader understands the narrator’s plights as well as his fellow counterparts through a comprehensive dimension. Therefore, the story is all about racial conflict, where the whites marginalized the black people by oppressing them and depriving them the platform to progress. This conflict exhibits through narration and it begins when the narrator’s late grandfather asserted that the society would always battle the narrator’s father and his race and still prevent them from rising socially. This predicted conflict later became a reality, when the narrator experienced humiliating experiences in the battling event that he calls the “the royal battle” (Ellison, 284). The “royal battle” later triggers more humiliating experiences of the black narrator in the hands of the white men in the ballroom event. In this regard, the paper outlines racism and social inequality as the major conflict in the story.

The plot structure

The major conflict in the story

The major conflict in the story is the racial battle, where the black individuals feel oppressed by their white counterparts. The narrator entails that the black community realized that white people deprived them social equality and at the same time blind-folded them so that they could not attain the platforms of curbing the conflict. The conflict integrates with the setting of the story because it was written in the 1950s, where slavery and vast racial practices was dominant in the US. This forms the basis of the argument that racism and social oppression is the central plot of the story. During this period, the black people lived as second class citizens, but the emergence of other generations led to the realization of recognition and equality in the society. The difference in conflict approach exhibits through the narrator’s grandfather, when he tells the narrator’s father ‘I want you to overcome ‘em with yeses, undermine ‘em with grins, agree ‘em to death and destruction, let ‘em swoller you till they vomit or burst wide open” ( Ellison, 284). Though no one clearly understood what the old man meant, the narrator later realized the truth behind the old man’s wise words, when he won the hearts of the whites’ through humility speeches and conduct. This depicts when the narrator claims that “on my graduation day, I delivered an oration in which I showed that humility was the secret, indeed, the very essence of progress” (Ellison, 285). Therefore, the central point of conflict in the entire story is about racial battle, where the black people meant to strategically fight social imbalance.

The part of the story that reveal the conflict

Though the first part of the story begins by the old man’s advice about social equality battle, the reality erupted in the later part of the story. The episode began when the narrator is requested by the white leaders to deliver a speech on humility virtuous during a high school graduation. This chance came by because the narrator was renowned by the entire community for his advice to his race to advance through humility and submission by shunning their rebellious character. The narrator heeded to the speech delivering invitation, and the event was held at a ballroom of a leading hotel. Unlike the narrator’s anticipation, the event turned out to be a male-only affair with all types of entertainment and merry (Ellison, 285). The narrator was then lured and persuaded to take part in a fight before he could begin his speech. The fight meant to entertain the drunken crowd, which he obliged to because the narrator’s main objective was to deliver a speech. He was blindfolded and forced to fight nine of his blind folded classmates, who were also black. The narrator fought until his opponents were only two.

The two remaining contestants alongside the narrator were humiliated further by being ordered to pick their payment from an electrified rug. To even embarrass them further the white men tossed the black boys on the electrified rug in order to see them dancing in pain. Nevertheless, the battle ended and the narrator won his first reward of a scholarship in the Negro college, which was presented in a calf-skin briefcase. The second award was that the narrator managed to get the chance to give his speech irrespective of his bruised and exhausted condition. Though the drunken white men did not listen to his speech, the narrator delivered his point, which was subsequently disrupted by the whites especially when he mentioned social inequality. A master of ceremony also interrupted by telling him to know his place at all times by not crossing borders and uttering such words like social equality (Ellison, 293). In summary, the entire episode of the battle outlines different levels and forms of racial oppression, which is why the battling event depicts the major conflict of the story. Therefore, the battling part of the story that was full of humiliation literary depicted the reality of racial and social conflict in the American society.

How the conflict contributes to the story’s meaning

The battling episode full of humiliation and physical suffering depicts the humiliation that the black people faced in the community due to their skin color. This means that the battle, which stands for the racial conflict and social status imbalance significantly contributes to the story’s meaning. For instance, the title of the book is ‘battle royal’, which stands for the battle that the narrator was lured into, and at the same time the black people’s battle towards recognition and equality. Therefore, the battling episode, which is the core meaning of the story, demonstrates the conflicting aspects exhibited by the story and at the same time faced by millions of black people in America. In another dimension, the battling conflicts align with the narrators’ grandfathers words, which insisted on the battle for social recognition of the black people (Ellison, 294). The conflict also arouses the quest for freedom of future black generation towards social recognition and other liberties, which contributes to part of the story. This contribution exhibits when the narrator overcomes all his battles and realizes the need for the same victory on his fellow black people. Therefore, the conflicts encountered in the story contribute to the meaning of the story in diverse ways.

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Invisible Man

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Battle Royale (2000 Film)

By kinji fukasaku, battle royale (2000 film) analysis.

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Written by Elizabeth Shaw

When Battle Royale was first shown it was met with shock, due to its intense violence. More specifically, this violence is against children, which makes the film even more unnerving. Quentin Tarantino has even stated that Battle Royale is the only film he wished that he would have directed.

The film takes place in a dystopian Japan, where each year a group of students is taken to a remote island and forced to fight until one survives. At the beginning of the film, the students think they are going on a field trip until the gruesome reality is revealed to them. Touching on themes such as the dangers of totalitarianism, the film paints a dreary picture of a society in which the government has complete control, and can force children to engage in a fight to the death.

After this film, the historical concept of a "battle royal" was redefined and has come to mean a group of people fighting to the death, until there is one survivor. This trope can be seen in many different aspects of popular culture, from the successful book and film franchise The Hunger Games to a number of popular video games such as Fortnite and Apex Legends. As such, the influence of this film has been massive and has influenced the way we think about the battle royale genre.

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Battle Royale (2000 Film) Questions and Answers

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Study Guide for Battle Royale (2000 Film)

Battle Royale (2000 Film) study guide contains a biography of director Kinji Fukasaku, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

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• Film Nihilism in 'Battle Royale': Fukasaku’s Philosophy of Honor, Friendship, and Humanity

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