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Theme Of Self-Worth In Battle Royal, By Zora Neale Hurston

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Theme Of Self-Worth In Battle Royal, By Zora Neale Hurston
A recurring theme of self-worth can be seen in the three poems/excerpts, “Battle Royal” from Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, “Tableau” by Countee Cullen and “How To Be Colored Me” by Zora Neale Hurston in each poem/excerpt the character realizes or utilizes it to grow as a human. In “Battle Royal” the narrator is constantly compared to animals and is dehumanized. For example, “I had no dignity.” after being humiliated he still proceeds to give his speech because he knows it is the only chance he has to prove his worth. All of the men who disregard him realize that he is more than they thought and he was rewarded with a scholarship, if he had not believed in himself he would have not gotten the opportunity. Countee Cullen's Tableau two boys
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