Battle Royal Essay, Research Paper
?Battle Royal?
?Battle Royal,? by Ralph Ellison was a very difficult piece of literature for me to understand. As a little background information, Ellison was very much into music (228). He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on March 1, 1914 (221). Different themes are presented throughout this short story, which reflect different views that Ellison had at the time that he wrote this essay. One boy is invited to speak at local men?s club where he will deliver his graduation speech. As I go on, I will discuss the nature of the short story and how it affected me. The narrator?s view of this entire situation at the men?s club is kind of humiliating which will later set the stage for events that will happen in his future. Black people are viewed different in this time period and the narrator does not understand near the end of the story.
The narrator looks up to his grandfather. He told the narrator?s father to keep up the fight. The father then tells the narrator what the grandfather told him. This was just being passed down through the different generations. This to me shows the loving relationship that the grandson and the grandfather share. Near the end of the story however, his grandfather?s presence scares him to death. The grandfather?s advice was a little too much for the narrator to handle. ?Live with your head in the lion?s mouth?overcome them with yeses?let ?em swoller you till they vomit.? This scares the boy. These last words that his grandfather tells him makes him feel like that there is a curse hovering over him. The family being black had a harder time growing up than the more wealthy white folks did. He wrote a graduation speech that totally went against his grandfather?s words that he gave the narrator. The town?s ?leading white people? loved the speech and asked him to deliver it at a local hotel in the ballroom. This starts a ?revolution? in the narrator?s life.
The people at the hotel make the narrator feel very uncomfortable. This group of ?town?s officials? turned out to be the local men?s club. They were smoking and drinking, paying no attention to what the guests have to say. The leaders of the club are more interested in the entertainment. At that time, they could have cared less what the narrator had to say. They had a woman to come out and ?entertain? them. I feel that this is ironic because this showed how the male portion of the society reacted to certain forms of entertainment. While their wives were probably at home tending the children, these men at this club were killing all the dignity and respect that the narrator had at that time. Generally around the 1950s men would sit around old barbershops and tell their ?big tales? about how they caught the biggest one yet. Women had their bridge club and also their garden club that kept them busy throughout the day. This was a way for many men to relax after a hard day at work. According to Mack Warren, a local barber in my hometown, he states that ?tellin? tales was more than just a hobby for many men back in the 50?s, it was a way for them to get away from the stresses of everyday life.? The pride in them (the people of that era) helped determine the way of the country today. It helped determine the way their children and grandchildren live today. The narrator being black had a hard time realizing what the people there were doing. He was being mocked without him even knowing it. Being black in this time period was very difficult for the narrator because he wasn?t looked upon as much as the white people his same age.
This was not the case for some other men. Of course some had to be perverse in some way or fashion. They got their pleasure from scenes such as the woman dancer in ?Battle Royal.? The men at the ?smoker? enjoy this form of entertainment with their drinks and cigars. The narrator has to sit through all of this. I think that this scene humiliates the author. He is being subjected to things beyond his control and things he had no choice to see. This was a cheap and humiliating form of entertainment.
The dancing woman was not the only form of entertainment that night. All the ?guests? invited to this event had to be used as a form of entertainment also. Each of them were ?stripped? of their dignity by being blindfolded. They (the guests) did not know if they were about to be hit or slapped. They had no idea what was going to happen to them. Punching and fighting commenced and blood was shed. The narrator got a blow to the eye. It became swollen. People were hurt and crying. The men at the club could do no more to totally bash the dignity and pride that the guests had built up all their life. I think that this episode represents part of what the grandfather had to say on his deathbed. He was basically letting other men control what he did. This makes the narrator realize that what he had in his heart was now gone and that his grandfather was right all along. He knew that this is not what he believed in. The white men were using the black teenagers as a form of entertainment. This was wrong.
After the beatings, the ?men? threw money in the center of the floor and made the guests fight for it. Whoever got it first got to keep it. This type of ?dog fight? was another humiliating factor for the narrator. Everyone fought for himself.
After all of this humiliation, the narrator finally got to recite his graduation speech. The crowd was still laughing at him and all the others that had been brutally beaten. He gave his well-written speech with some quivering in his voice. The crowd actually began to listen to him while he delivered his speech. They started to listen when he said responsible. After the speech was over, the man over the ?men?s club? came up and praised him. To me, this was very ironic because why would they do that to someone and then praise him for a job well done? I am thinking that maybe they did this just to test his patience and pride. It paid off because one of the white men gave him a brief case with a document inside of it. The document was a scholarship to the State College for Negroes. The narrator was ecstatic. He then had a dream that night. He dreamed about what his grandfather had said earlier. He awoke with laughing in his ear. He had no idea what it meant at that time. This incident with the beating made him realize that he can stand up for himself and other people in turn making him a better person for society. He felt some better because he proved them wrong. Black men in that time period can make a difference and the narrator was out to prove it.
Battle Royal by Ralph Ellison
Другие работы по теме:
Killer Angels 3 Essay Research Paper This
Killer Angels 3 Essay, Research Paper This is an outstanding book about the Battle of Gettysburg, even though it is fictional. The Killer Angels The Battle of Gettysburg brought the fighting North and South together to the small town of Gettysburg and on the edge of splitting the Union. Gettysburg could closely be compared to Judgement Day and this book gives a day-to-day account of the battle that made America s future.
War On New Orleans Essay Research Paper
Summary of the Battle of New Orleans in the American Civil War The battle of New Orleans in the American Civil War was a result if the federal government?s plan to seize New Orleans, one
The Battle Of Yorktown Essay Research Paper
The Battle of Yorktown The battle of Yorktown was the most important battle of the revolutionary war because Yorktown was a very big and very populated town and thoarfor made it a very important military benifet.
A Battle Into Adulthood Red Badge
Essay, Research Paper A Battle for Adulthood Throughout the novel The Red Badge of Courage, written by Stephen Crane, a theme is portrayed within a battle that takes place during the Civil War. It is that each person must find the courage to win his or her won battle for maturity or adulthood. A soldier, who is also the main character, Henry Fleming, exemplifies this theme.
Oliver Cromwell Essay Research Paper The four
Oliver Cromwell Essay, Research Paper The four events in the movie that effected Cromwell and England the most are the first battle, the battle at Naseby, the signing of the petition, and the beheading of King Charles. These incidents impacted Cromwell and England the most because they were significant turning points in the movie.
Sir Lanval Essay Research Paper Intro paragraph
Sir Lanval Essay, Research Paper Intro paragraph: A warrior is a person that values his country and will protect it at all costs. He is brave and valient and does not care whether he dies in battle just as long as he’s fighting for his country and for a good cause. Sometimes warriors sacrifice their beliefs in the case of love or religion.
The Grandfather
’s Dream In “Battle Royal” Essay, Research Paper The Grandfather?s Dream in Ralph Ellison?s ?Battle Royal? Symbolism is used throughout Ralph Ellison?s ?Battle Royal?. Symbols have more than one meaning than what appears to be the central idea. Symbols in this story are very contradictory. The main character is also the narrator who tells the story after he has become an educated adult.
Red Badge Essay Research Paper The Red
Red Badge Essay, Research Paper The Red Badge of Courage The Red Badge of Courage, a novel by Stephen Crane, is a captivating book. It is the story of a young man who becomes a soldier and fights during an episode of the Civil War. In this book, not only does he fight the Rebels, but he fights his fears. Entering the battle a fearful youth, he comes out a brave warrior.
Battle Royal Symbolism Essay Research Paper In
Battle Royal Symbolism Essay, Research Paper In the story “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison, he uses a white, naked, exotic dancer as a big symbol in the story. Tattooed on the girl that the narrator is directing his attention to is an American Flag. The symbol of the American flag on the naked blonde girl relates to the many themes of the story such as the struggle for equality.
Ellison
’s “Battle Royal” Essay, Research Paper Ellison’s “Battle Royal” In Battle Royal, Ellison shows us various things to bring our attention to the pain the minority group suffered. In doing this Ellison shows us
Battle Royal
– Symbolism Essay, Research Paper Ralph Ellison’s short story, "Battle Royal", is symbolic in many different ways.In one way it is symbolic of the African Americans’ struggle for equality throughout our
Battle Royal Essay Research Paper Battle RoyalThe
Battle Royal Essay, Research Paper Battle Royal The narrator of ?Battle Royal,? lived his life under the illusion that everybody had an equal chance in life. He desperately wanted and tried to please everyone, thinking that if he did he would eventually rise and become somebody great. He was a great speaker and his speeches won him great recognition, but he did not realize that nobody took him seriously.
The Gallant Boys Of Gettysburg Essay Research
Paper The story I read took place mostly at the Battle of Gettysburg. Tom and Jeff Majors had just enrolled in the Confederate army. Tom enrolled as a private and Jeff as a drummer boy. Their dad, Nelson Majors, who had been
Movie Glory Essay Research Paper Movie Glory
Movie: Glory Essay, Research Paper Movie: Glory The movie Glory (though having seen it 4 times) still amazes me. It is a very emotional movie. It is about the fact that blacks were starting to not be
Beowulf Character Analysis Essay Research Paper Beowulf
Beowulf: Character Analysis Essay, Research Paper Beowulf: Character Analysis When he arrived at the Danish land, Beowulf was a young man seeking adventure and glory. Beowulf was distinguished among his people, the Geats, for
Conflict Management Essay Research Paper In the
Conflict Management Essay, Research Paper In the dictionary conflict is defined as a struggle, a battle, even mutual antagonism. Some people seem to thrive on creating conflict while others do their best to avoid conflict.
The Battle Of Bentonville Essay Research Paper
The Battle of Bentonville Mark A. Moore Book Summary The book, The Battle of Bentonville is about the historic Battle of Bentonville. The book covers every aspect of the battle, using pictures, diagrams, and actual writing. The book specifically talks about every attack, stand and even some of the aftermath.
The Red Badge Of Courage By Stephen
Crane Essay, Research Paper The red badge – The red badge, a blood stain, was a symbol of courage for other soldiers, however, for Henry, it becomes a sign of cowardice since he received his from a fight with
Battle Of The Bulge
– A World War 2 Battle Essay, Research Paper The World War Two was a very severe war. There were many battles that were fought during it. One of the biggest land battles was Battle of the Bulge. (helios.) The battle took place on December 16, 1944 under cover a very dense fog which was very difficult for the army to see. (Danzer et. al. 744) These conditions are hard to see in but to stage of the biggest land battle in the history of World War Two, it was truly an astounding event and a very tragic memory.
General George Meade Essay Research Paper General
General George Meade Essay, Research Paper General Meade Do you know who was the general for the Second Battle of Bull Run? Everyone knows what the Second Battle of Bull Run is, but who was the general? Some people even know that the north won that battle. Most people do not know that General George Meade defeated General Lee at that battle.
Major Battles Of The Civil War Essay
, Research Paper The First Bull Run was the first major battle of the war and would occur in northern Virginia right next to the capital. Northern spectators came to watch the battle because they were sure the union would win but the confederates won much to their dismay. Because of this battle both sides realized this would be a long and hard war instead of an easy one.
George Meade Essay Research Paper George MeadeDo
George Meade Essay, Research Paper George Meade Do you know who was the general for the Second Battle of Bull Run? Everyone kGeorge Meadenowswhat the Second Battle of Bull Run is but who was the general? Some people
George Meade Essay Research Paper Do you
George Meade Essay, Research Paper Do you know who was the general for the Second Battle of Bull Run? Everyone knows what the Second Battle of Bull Run is but who was the general? Some people even know
The 2Nd Battle Of Bull Run Essay
, Research Paper The Federal army showed great strength and strategy. Well organized and composed of the best thtat they could lay their hands on. With their expierenced field commanders and
Trenton Battle Essay Research Paper THE
Trenton Battle Essay, Research Paper THE BATTLE OF TRENTON_________________________________________________ The Battle of Trenton was fought last night December 26,1776. As we all know before this battle, The Continental Army wasbeing badly beaten by the British forces. They were in need ofeverything from food to new uniforms and weapons.
Antietam Essay Research Paper The Battle of
Antietam Essay, Research Paper The Battle of Antietam Union Losses – 12,410 Confederate Losses – 10,700 On September 4, 1862 General Robert E. Lee crossed the Potomac into Maryland
The Battle Of Britain Essay Research Paper
The Battle of Britain Some historians talk of crucial battles where the right man in the right place at the right time can alter the course of history. Others say that the forces of history are inexorable and mere mortals can barely hope to influence, much less deflect or halt them. The Battle of Britain is very close to evidence for the former view.
Battle Of Shilo Essay Research Paper The
Battle Of Shilo Essay, Research Paper The Battle of Shiloh 1962 The Battle of Shiloh was one of bloodiest battles of the civil War. In fact it was one of the bloodiest battles fought on Tennessee soil.
War War War Essay Research Paper
Dear Christine, This cursed war has separated me from you. I can not go through a day without thinking of you And the moments we shared with each other. Through the restless nights
Battle Of The Buldge Essay Research Paper
The Battle of the Buldge was the last of the German attacks. It lasted from December 16,1944 to January 28, 1945. The Battle of the Buldge was the largest land battle of World War 2. More then a million men participated in this battle, 600,000 germans, 500,000 Americans and 55,000 British armies were fighting.