Battle Royal
"The First of Many Battles" From the moment you read the title "Battle Royal," it becomes obvious that a struggle will be present in this story. However, there is not one, but many "battles" addressed. After reading the story, it becomes clear that these battles being fought are both physical and mental. The most obvious is the conflict between the whites and blacks, but equally important and slightly less obvious is the conflict between the blacks themselves. This short story by Ralph Ellison is written in first person singular. The narrator, who is also the main character, is a young, black man who has just graduated from high school with honors. He is invited to read his valedictorian speech at an assembly for the town's important white citizens. However, once he arrives he is told that before he gives his speech, he is to participate in a "battle royal" along with nine of his peers. The boys battle for quite some time while the white men watch, laugh, and cheer. Once the battle is over, the ten are led to a rug covered with coins and are told to grab their reward. However the coins are connected to a battery and the boys were shocked each time they grabbed one. Finally, the narrator is called
After the white men had received all the entertainment they wanted from this, the black men were informed that the money on the rug was not real and they were escorted to the back and given the real money. The black men "kept after the coins" despite the pain that was sure to follow. I would throw my body against the boys nearest to me to block them from the gold. The battles that take place in "Battle Royal" are those which are of great importance and are faced even in this modern day. In turn, the black men would not have been forced to engage in activities which bring hostility towards one another, but perhaps would take part in activities to bring them together. Once there are only two men left, the narrator offers to give his opponent all his prize, plus extra, if he will fake a knockout. It is easy to see that the two conflicts are closely related and, in fact, one is caused, or escalated, by the other. All the while, the white men sat and watched in amusement at the sight of these black men enduring so much pain in order to get their prize. However, the true nature and intent of those very people becomes clear as soon as the narrator arrives at the gathering. Yet another example of this inner-racial turmoil is when the black men are around the rug waiting for the instructions in order to get their prize for the fight. The fighting of the men during the "battle royal" is perhaps the most obvious example of the battle occurring between the black men. scattered here and there, were the gold pieces. This is a time after slavery but prior to segregation where feelings between the white people and the black people were mixed.
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,
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