Character Analysis of "Battle Royal"
SaQuoya Stokes
Doctor Natalie King- Pedroso
ENC 1102
22 July 2013
Character Analysis of Ralph Ellison’s “Battle Royal” In Ralph Ellison’s, “Battle Royal” the protagonist is the narrator and the main character. He delivers the story to the reader in the form of a first person narrative. The narrator although black perceives himself as better than those of his race. His personality and the attitudes he exudes is exceedingly confident, blatantly arrogant and prideful. The reader is aware of this elevated sense of pride by observing the narrator’s actions/interactions with others and his thoughts.
One the narrator’s showcase of conceitedness is displayed through his actions/interactions with others. Upon arriving at the event the narrator is told he will be participating in a battle royal. The narrator relays to the reader “I had some misgivings over the battle royal, by the way. Not from a distaste for fighting but because I didn 't care too much for the other fellows who were to take part. (p.243)” The narrator sees the others as his inferior, as though ignorant to the fact that they are all entertainment. He makes little to any conversation with any of the boys because all that is on his mind is his speech and grandfather’s curse. The persistence shown is shockingly hilarious when the reader reads, “I was limp as a dish rag. My back felt as though it had been beaten with wires… There was still laughter as I faced them, my mouth dry, my eyes throbbing. I began slowly… (p.248)” Had he no respect for his people to walk away from such embarrassment and not deliver this speech? No. His pride was not for his people, but of himself and he was determined to have these men hear his speech. At one point the reader grows concern of whether or not the speech is that important. The reader was surprised by the actions of the narrator, but it is his thoughts that make you question his character. The narrator reveals to the reader his self-absorbed attitude in the
Doctor Natalie King- Pedroso
ENC 1102
22 July 2013
Character Analysis of Ralph Ellison’s “Battle Royal” In Ralph Ellison’s, “Battle Royal” the protagonist is the narrator and the main character. He delivers the story to the reader in the form of a first person narrative. The narrator although black perceives himself as better than those of his race. His personality and the attitudes he exudes is exceedingly confident, blatantly arrogant and prideful. The reader is aware of this elevated sense of pride by observing the narrator’s actions/interactions with others and his thoughts.
One the narrator’s showcase of conceitedness is displayed through his actions/interactions with others. Upon arriving at the event the narrator is told he will be participating in a battle royal. The narrator relays to the reader “I had some misgivings over the battle royal, by the way. Not from a distaste for fighting but because I didn 't care too much for the other fellows who were to take part. (p.243)” The narrator sees the others as his inferior, as though ignorant to the fact that they are all entertainment. He makes little to any conversation with any of the boys because all that is on his mind is his speech and grandfather’s curse. The persistence shown is shockingly hilarious when the reader reads, “I was limp as a dish rag. My back felt as though it had been beaten with wires… There was still laughter as I faced them, my mouth dry, my eyes throbbing. I began slowly… (p.248)” Had he no respect for his people to walk away from such embarrassment and not deliver this speech? No. His pride was not for his people, but of himself and he was determined to have these men hear his speech. At one point the reader grows concern of whether or not the speech is that important. The reader was surprised by the actions of the narrator, but it is his thoughts that make you question his character. The narrator reveals to the reader his self-absorbed attitude in the
Cited: Zweig. "Battle Royal." Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. By Robert. Fifth ed. N.p.: n.p., 2011. 241-50. Print.