Symbolism in Ralph Ellison's 'Battle Royal'

“Battle Royal” is a story written by the author Ralph Ellison. It starts with a flashback on what happened years back. The narrator is a black man who narrates about his grandfather’s death and the wise words he gave to his son (Father to the narrator) before he breathed his last. The story takes place in a small town as the narrator puts it. The story tries to explain how the interaction of the black Americans and the white people had many challenged. Therefore, it talks about the racial inequality that was witnessed before the attainment of the equality rule many years after. The narrator/boy has to carry his grandfather’s words in his every undergoing so as to excel and fit in the world that was dominated by the white. In the introductory part, the narrator says that the grandfather was a slave and also a spy. The whites mainly oppressed slaves and it as not different with the grandson. Thesis statement; Ralph Ellison's “Battle Royal” employs symbolism to reveals how the Whiteman was oppressing the African Americans, the problem they faced as slaves, the challenges and pain one had to endure to achieve anything useful in the white-man dominated land.

First, the story incorporates the direct words which have symbolism that was said by the grandfather of the narrator before he died. These are, “Son after I am gone, I want you to keep up the good fight…” Ellison (112) there is no good fight as one has to go through pain and challenges to win the fight or even achieve something. The father to the narrator had to keep on fighting for his place in the world that was dominated by whites who controlled everything. All the black people or rather slaves were to remain below the white people. This is a symbolism of how the African American parents or families were requiring their fellow Africans to remain composed as they were fighting for their space in the unequal society.

Secondly, other notable words by the grandfather of the narrator are that, “Live with your hand in the lion’s mouth” Ellison (112) which simply denotes that the Whiteman was the lion. A lion is a dangerous and robust animal which overpowers it the enemy in almost all the occasion. That's why the old man warns his people against the white man who can do anything to the black community. The narrator did put his hand in the lion's mouth especially when he underwent corporal punishment or beating in the rings when he together with other African boys were blindfolded. The narrator’s speech was very good such that the white welcomed the narrator in white-dominated town so that he could give his speech again. He was beaten, injured and was bleeding all over his face. It is easier to say that Africans were strong and motivated people and this was shown by the narrator when he was able to take all the beating and later give the speech. In the slave days, Africans were subjected to many problems and some of them were caused to them intentionally by the white people so that they could not survive or even make it. Giving his speech and even winning the scholarship was a hard task. Receiving the beating and being scolded was something the narrator could not evade. He was punished because he was considered to be the brightest youth among the Africans.

Third, being blindfolded was a great symbolism. The African community found itself on the battlefield so many times and the opponent was always the white man. They fought just like the boys did and they did not know why or what they fought for. Perhaps it was the only way in which the black man and his society could use so as to get what is important in life. During this slave period when oppression was the order of the day, black people used to be segregated in certain locations and they did not mix with the whites. There were specific schools, restaurants, and vehicles that were meant to be used by white people. In the ring, the boys were hitting each other, and the narrator said that he would receive so many blows at the same time. This made him question whether other people in the ring were blindfolded like him or her too.

Fourth, another important symbolism in the story was the electrified rug. The narrator tells that ten boys fought in the ring and now a time came to face yet another test. From the electrified rug, the boys were supposed to pick the money and bills. They would get electrocuted every time they made a trial, and their hands were aching so much. It was a hard task. The white thrived in seeing the black people suffer. Lack of equality and respect for people of different origin and color was widespread. Boys from the African American society had to be scolded, beaten or even threatened by their fellow whites. This is the reason as to why the white people could not believe that an African kid would deliver such an excellent speech! “Gentlemen, see I did not overpraise the boy…” (122) are words from one of the superintendents who had informed the white people about the narrator. They had doubts about him and was a representation of the whole slave/ African American community.

Fifth, the narrator was presented with an award which was a symbolism of how African easily forget and allow the white people to control them. This is seen when the boys see the money that was supposed to be picked from the electrified rug. In my opinion, the boys had suffered enough and they did not need any sugarcoating. They were humiliated and batter and they afterward end up getting more pain. The superintendent called on the boys, “Come on boys and get your money…” (199). The boys went running to get their money, and the narrator says this. Afterward, the narrator was awarded a scholarship after going through all the struggles. However, he was able to live according to the words of his grandfather, “Son, after I am gone, I want you to keep up the good fight…” and “Live with your hand in the lion’s mouth” Ellison (112).

Finally, the Battle royal was a symbolism too. This is a battle that the black had to fight to earn equality in the Whiteman’s land. Before attaining the equality or acceptance in such a society, the Africans were supposed to obey and follow all the Whiteman sayings. For example, one of the men told the told the boys, 'See that boy over there?' 'I want you to run across at the bell and give it to him right in the belly. If you don't get him, I'm going to get you. I don't like his looks.' Ellison (115-116). The white man was ensuring that the black people fight each other so that they can become enemies. The situation was not that good, and this is the sole reason as to why the black people were only left with the option of obeying.

In conclusion, symbolism as a literal element was well developed in the story and themes like pain and slavery among others helped to understand it well. Symbolism was best shown by; the ten boys fighting blindfolded, the electrified rug, the award, and money that was given to the boys and the grandfather's words regarding interacting and living together with the whites. All through the story, the pain and humiliation that black Americans faced back in the days are well outlined. The fight for equality was a battle worth fighting and as there is freedom of equality today.