Battle Royal
Discrimination against blacks was a daily practice in American until the mid-21st century. Events held to humiliate African Americans were not out of the ordinary. In Ralph Ellison's short story, "Battle Royal", the money on the electrified rug represents the idea that racial equality was farce and that whites still oppressed blacks in an unfair battle. The narrator in "Battle Royal" is a well-educated African American who is repressed by a glass ceiling. He has aspirations to become the next Booker T. Washington but is held back by society. After graduating, he is invited to give a speech at a smoker, an informal men-only social gathering. As he came into the area it was filled with white men with drinks and cigars. In return for coming to the event, he and fellow African Americans were lead to a "rug covered with coins of all dimensions and a few crumpled bills" (122). These items caught his eyes but what excited him were the gold pieces. Before being released to retrieve the coins, a man from the audience shouts, "These niggers look like there're about to pray!" (123). The thought of being able to stuff their pockets full of money overcame them, so they do not even realize that they are were bowing down to the
I tried frantically to remove my hand but could not let go. While grabbing the coins, the narrator states, "I feared the rug more then I did the drunk" (123). In the story the narrator states:I lunged for a yellow coin lying on the blue design of the carpet, touching it and sending a surprised shriek to join those rising around me. The money on the rug gave the appearance that the narrator is getting an opportunity at social equality, which could not be further from the truth. Some would laugh at that their own embarrassment because any form of rebellion against the society's standards would only lead to more embarrassment. The symbolism in this story demonstrates the difficulty that lies in the path to equality. The hair bristled up on my head as I shook myself free. The illusion of social equality is dangled in front of African American eyes. Even though when touching a coin an electric shock would be sent up their arms, the thought of class through money kept there hands on the coins. This money can not boost their social status. The yellow coins were not gold but were "brass pocket tokens advertising a certain make of automobile" (126). It is not the white men the scares him the most, but the challenge that is ahead of him. My muscles jumped, my nerves jangled, writhed. A hot, violent force tore through my body, shaking me like a wet rat. Even if one achieved enough money to be considered respectable, they would be shot down by society and its unfair opportunities.
Common topics in this essay:
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Ralph Ellison's,
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