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The White Man In Ralph Ellison's Battle Royal

803 Words4 Pages

Ralph Ellison’s short story, “Battle Royal” describes an unknown narrator looking back on a memory of his younger self. The memory is a societal portrayal of life for a young African-American boy in the 1940s. Quickly, the audience is aware of the fundamental difference between this black boy and most black boys for he is the town’s example of “desirable conduct” (336). From this very early point in the story, the narrator aligns himself with the ideals of white men, reaping the benefits of doing such. As it is suggested, the white men of this town have continued to praise the boy for most of his life, leading him to give a speech at the ‘Battle Royal’. Every step of this character’s life lies in the hands of these white men, the way he behaves, …show more content…

“I was praised by the most lily-white men of the town” (336). Praise of his proud, honorable conduct has followed his lineage with success. So much so, that the narrator is let into a white citizens' event; someone of color could only dream of attending an event such as this due to its exclusivity. However, rather quickly the entrance of the event marks the entrance to a world he has no control over. Ellison’s narrator is plagued with the overwhelming truth of what this society that has previously praised him, is truly about, demonization. Even at this moment, he cannot see past himself as he aligns with white men. As the boys are rushed into the elevator he sees himself as still superior. These other young men, are not like him, they have not been praised as he has or made to believe they are on the same level as him. Truly, can one of color lose sight of who he is simply on the fact that white men have deemed him more worthy than …show more content…

His dignity and praise are completely stripped from him, as now he is only a black boy fighting for money. Never will this character be equal to white men, no matter how disgusted he remains with his black counterparts. On the contrary, as the older narrator looks back on this memory, he realizes that his younger self will never understand this concept. Rather, in the heat of the fight, the character tries to bargain with his opponent. He still wishes to be in good favor of his white onlookers, winning the fight is more than just money, it is the social lottery of being respected by people in power. This young man is confused with his own identity, confused with who is outside of this association. Praise and good fortune become submission in the favor of white

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