It is reasonable to believe that “Battle Royal” is a good depiction of Jim Craw era. Since the central focus of the story is the recurring incidences of racial inequality in America, it is justifiable to claim that the theme of this tale mirrors on the racial segregation against the people of color, which was brought about by the Jim Craw laws.
Apparently, the narrator is informed, and understands how the world worked during the Jim Craw era. The invisible young boy is also honest with himself. That is, he agrees to enter into the battle and deliver a speech thereafter with the aim of advocating for social equality as he echoes in his speech.
The grandfather of the narrator fits into the “Battle Royal” as a warning to the young boy. One thing the narrator remembers is how the old man warned his father about living with the Whites. The grandfather said, “Live with your head in the lion’s mouth. I want you to overcome ’em with yeses, undermine ’em with grins, agree ’em to death and destruction” (Ellison 15).
I think the dream is about the African Americans achieving social equality after going through series of humiliation in America.
The story brings in the dancer to symbolize the differences between the two races; the fighters and the dancer. However, there is nothing significant to compare between the fighters and the dancer.
The violence that erupts during the speech has an important meaning to the story. It symbolizes the struggles that the people of color went through in their quest for equality.
I believe the narrator won his price fair and square by going through the tough battle and ultimately winning what he was fighting for. That is, living a life of respect regardless of his color.
Work Cited
Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. United States: Paw Prints, 2008.
