Interpreting The Theme Of The Short Story 'Battle Royal'
The short story “battle royal” theme based upon a coming of age story. Which depicts an African American male who is attempting to find himself, while in a time where slavery has ended and segregation is not yet a distant memory. When he was younger he was exposed to his grandfather’s dying words, which evidently reveals that his grandfather behavior was all a ruse. His grandfather portrayed a meek old man playing a role which he believed was required to suit his situation, being an African American male in a white dominated society. He played this role to hide his true feelings towards the outside world and kept his true identity within to stave off any hardships. The grandfather characterized himself to be a spy in a hostile environment this
behavior would allow him to deceive the enemy. The enemy in this case being the whites who disliked blacks who didn’t share their ideals or bend to their wills. The grandfather then proceeds to state with his last breath to the main characters’ father to teach this tacit to the younger ones so they too would know it’s power.
The story then proceeds to main character reading a speech which states that humility did lead to progress. The same speech which shared the ideals of his dying grandfather who told them playing a submissive role was necessary in the world they lived in. The speech gave him the platform to speak to other important white folks of society. The nameless main character is then placed in a fighting match when attending an event, he was to a speech on social responsibility. He then is lead to a podium to speak after being beaten battered and electrocuted in the battle royal. He accidently mixes his words social responsibility for social equality in his speech. After a slight silence he corrects himself when inquired whether or not he meant it, and at the end when he is done is given a brief case. The content produces a scholarship to the state college for African Americans. That night he dreams of his grandfather the setting taking that of a circus. Which evidently reflects his life, and his grandfather tells him to read another piece of paper in the case. That showcased what the white folks really want him to do was to keep him in his current predicament. The state where he doesn’t know who he really is.
behavior would allow him to deceive the enemy. The enemy in this case being the whites who disliked blacks who didn’t share their ideals or bend to their wills. The grandfather then proceeds to state with his last breath to the main characters’ father to teach this tacit to the younger ones so they too would know it’s power.
The story then proceeds to main character reading a speech which states that humility did lead to progress. The same speech which shared the ideals of his dying grandfather who told them playing a submissive role was necessary in the world they lived in. The speech gave him the platform to speak to other important white folks of society. The nameless main character is then placed in a fighting match when attending an event, he was to a speech on social responsibility. He then is lead to a podium to speak after being beaten battered and electrocuted in the battle royal. He accidently mixes his words social responsibility for social equality in his speech. After a slight silence he corrects himself when inquired whether or not he meant it, and at the end when he is done is given a brief case. The content produces a scholarship to the state college for African Americans. That night he dreams of his grandfather the setting taking that of a circus. Which evidently reflects his life, and his grandfather tells him to read another piece of paper in the case. That showcased what the white folks really want him to do was to keep him in his current predicament. The state where he doesn’t know who he really is.