Battle Royal: The Truth About Human Wickedness

“Battle Royal” conveys the dynamic of the social tension between blacks and whites through the narrator’s eyes. The narrator’s recitation of his experiences leads us to feel sympathetic for him because of his naiveté and misperception of his self-worth in the white community. In finding his identity, the narrator’s dignity suffers humiliation and degradation from activities, which he initially believed to be a rite of social acceptance. His subservient attitude changes after surviving the night in the battle royal. He came to realize the value of self-esteem. While Ralph Ellison incorporates numerous ironies in this short story to personify the true identity of people, they also help the readers to recognize his emphasis on the wickedness that some characters possess. As the readers begin to understand each incident in the short story, they can relate to the feeling of the narrator for the personal tragedies he endured in the search for his identity.

I believe Ellison uses irony as a tool in his attempt to create an effect of a mirage, by alternating truths and fictions to lead his readers into believing something harmless is occurring to the life of the narrator. Throughout the narrator’s childhood, Ellison shows the narrator’s naiveté from his complete capitulation to the commands of the white people. However, during the battle royal scenes, his subservient behavior caused him great humiliation, which enraged him. As he struggled to stay conscious throughout the contest, we still see the subliminal display of his loyal compliance and obedience to his elders as his mind is only occupied on delivering his speech. As if he were blindfolded before a firing squad, he still thinks about his speech by explaining, “The blindfolds were put on. Yet even then I had been going over my speech.” (¶ 10) The hazy smoked-filled ballroom symbolizes the hypocrisy of the white characters as their taunts and ridicules exemplify the racist opinions that they have masked in their daily lives. Though they are high-powered town officials, the white spectators act irresponsibly, threatening barbarously to kill or denigrate their black guests. For example, it was the upstanding white spectators, who ironically embarrassed themselves, when they chased the naked white woman around the room as she was paraded before the black guests. The narrator’s translucent image of the white people begins to come into focus, revealing their wickedness, which disproves his earlier perceptions of the white spectators. The readers can see the white spectators’ cruelty in their amusement from enticing the black participants to fall and electrocute themselves as they pick up coins and money from the rug. Their malicious overture is further underscored when the narrator discloses that the gold coins are actually brass tokens. The reader feels empathetic for the narrator because he was almost neglected to give his speech–ironically, the very reason why he was invited to attend the reception. When the crowd ignores his speech, but obnoxiously and disrespectfully ask him to speak up and correct himself, we experience even more sympathy for the orator. It is ironic how the spectators make the narrator utter, “Social Responsibility,” yet they are exhibiting no social responsibility of their own that night. As a reader, I feel abhorrence from the indignity suffered by the narrator, yet am proud for the narrator because he was tricked into assuming that it was a ceremony for his commendations, yet he later realized that he had been cheated. From this experience, he learns not to succumb to such temptations.

This short story warns the pitfalls of temptations. It is ironic to see temptation cloud the rational judgment of one of his classmates, Tatlock. By rejecting the narrator’s plea to stop fellow blacks from fighting each other, Tatlock is focused on becoming a champion of entertaining cruel drunk white townspeople. Through spectators’ ruses, I believe Ellison is alluding to the early African enslavements. At that time, some Africans were tricked into believing that the New World offered abundant opportunities, but it actually led them lead into a life of degradation and exploitation. This ironic historical perspective finds a parallel expression in the narrator’s purpose to give a speech. Instead of being rewarded and commended by important figures of the white community, the narrator is tricked and exploited as he humiliates himself for their entertainment. The blindfold that obscures his visions represents his naiveté and obliviousness to temptations. Neither the slaves, nor the black students did know what to expect, as they were both about to fight in their struggle to survive. After the last boxing match, the readers are assured that he has “opened his eyes to reality” as his perception of the white spectators’ true characters has changed. He finally realizes their cruel exploitations and learns to be cognizant of his selfness. Although he is rewarded with a scholarship to an all black university, he realizes that this contest has marred his self-pride as he mutters under his breath, “I had no dignity.” (¶ 23)

The process for the narrator to find his identity is very painful, but it provides him with a better understanding of the nefarious side of humanity. As the narrator struggled to find his true self, his naiveté is replaced by reality from having been a victim of the spectators’ inhumanities. He now becomes aware of the human wickedness, which will protect him from exploitations in the future. (911)

The Wickedness in Humanity

I enjoyed reading this week’s stories because their simplicity made it easy for us to relate our lives to the characters within them. These characters face situations similar to ours, which represent tolerance, appearance, judgment, jealousy, and rebellion. The authors all emphasize the theme concerning a character trying to impress others with his appearance.

Sammy, the narrator in “A&P,” finally realizes his inferior social position and wants to improve his status. From the beginning, Sammy understands that his menial job will not impress the ladies, a common problem in today’s labor world. After gawking and admiring the three beautiful girls, Sammy is only concerned with presenting himself in a way to appeal to these girls’ interests. During his characterization of the girls, Sammy learns that they belong to a higher social class. This short story cogently describes Sammy’s rise to maturity. As discussed in class, Sammy’s early remarks were very juvenile as he bitterly criticized and presented to us his secret affections for the “queen.” At the end, his maturity serves to explain the reason for his quitting because he views Lengal’s demeaning punishments as inappropriate, unscrupulous, and gratuitous. Yet in his final remarks, his maturity seems to dissipate as he relapses into the juvenile world in his attempt to catch the girls’ attentions following his argument with Lengal. While Sammy criticizes Stokesie’s character, he has a premonition that Stokesie’s lifestyle might become his. Stokesie’s future does not appeal to Sammy because he believes that it is not a job he will enjoy and provide him with impressive success. Although Lengel warned Sammy that his quitting might upset his parents, Sammy disagrees with Lengal in his desire and motivation to improve his life when he decides to quit his job. His rebellion may seem immature, but it is important to his personality. Seeing that his life will not improve from his current occupation by subordinating to orders like mindless sheep, he finds that the only way to rid of this sheepish lifestyle is to rebel and make decisions for himself.

Flannery O’ Connor’s “Revelations” is a tragedy involving the downfall of its protagonist Mrs. Turpin from her self-conceitedness and self-centeredness. It is important to note that Mrs. Turpin’s hubris and vanity do not make her a good person. She continually boasts of her high position within society and unremittingly rants against blacks and “white-trash” people in order to elevate her status and ego. Although claiming that she is a strong devotee of the Christian religion, it is very ironic how she strongly scrutinizes, belittles, and characterizes people. As discussed in class, I agree that she assumes a position that does not belong to her. It is not her job to take God’s role to judge others. Throughout this religiously novel, she claims to represent the ideal southern Christian woman; however, I believe her racism and intolerance for others cause her to remain on Earth while the people she deems “evil” ascend to Heaven. The Biblical allusions and parallels in this short story emphasize the sense of certainty that God will reward those who behave nicely and respectfully. Though the attack on her resulted from her trivial, yet vexing comments, she deserved it. I think that the attack was intended as God’s warning to tell her to stop judging others. From this, she begins to realize that if her actions persist, she will become the devilish warthog in Hell. If she were not attacked and described as a warthog from Hell, I believe she would continue to disparage people because her ego would mislead her to believe that she is a good Southern woman.

“A Good Man is Hard to Find” follows a grandmother who’s actions, beliefs, and motives are very similar to Mrs. Turpin. As discussed in class, her selfishness leads to her family’s murder. I agree that her decision using a back road to avoid the Misfit, choosing to bring the cat, and lying to visit a house all gradually cause her demise. She claims that her grandchildren are undisciplined, yet it is her self-conceitedness that characterizes her actions as a very juvenile person and not a lady. Throughout her conversation with the Misfit, she, the oldest in the group, does not take responsibility in accepting death, but rather begs and bribes the Misfit with material wealth. I agree with the class’ discussion that, when faced with the choice of life or death, the grandma no longer cares about being a lady and impressing others. Instead of continuing to impress people, she finally accepts her fate–symbolizing a cleansing of her soul before she enters into Heaven. I find this story particularly interesting because I believe the Misfit is actually a good person. If the grandmother had not exposed the Misfit, I think he would have helped them. When Bobby Lee jokes with the Misfit, I cannot picture the Misfit as a killer because he is not callous, but rather sensitive about death. Although he murdered the family, he is described as surprisingly polite. For example, he apologizes to the women for talking to them without a shirt on. It is interesting to note that the villain in this novel is more respectful and sophisticated than the protagonist in this story.

“Cathedral[’s]” main theme involves acceptance and tolerance. We learn that the husband’s view towards Robert is distorted from his wife’s early relations with Robert. Although it may be because he was jealous, the husband is very prejudiced against the blind man. It may seem humorous, but his obnoxious verbal expressions are very undignified. I think he resorts to belittling comments because he feels as if he were an outsider from his wife and Robert’s close friendship. Despite his display of earlier remarks, I believe the husband begins to feel sympathetic. As they watch television, he willingly describes to a blind person what something looks like even though Robert may have been blind his entire life. I believe the symbolism about the Cathedral’s building height represents the husband’s growing respect for Robert. “Cathedral” is a good example of overcoming one’s tolerances and prejudices. In its simplistic text and plot, it reminds people to remain open-minded of other’s misfortunes. (1,030)

The Paradox of Trust and Fidelity

Although the subtle symbols can be easily overlooked, they serve to embellish the exposition of Jhumpa Lahiri’s ideas, themes, and plot within her short story. With the abundance of symbols, I feel as if I am a psychoanalyst examining the clues that underline the relationships of Mr. Kapashi and Mrs. Das. “The Interpreter of Maladies” evolves around trust, curse of temptation, and fidelity between married couples that are not directly stated, but implied. Through analysis of each character and subtle symbols, we can discern the purpose and meaning of this short story.


I find it is fun to study the theme of this novel like a reader response critic because I enjoy discovering the meaning behind the numerous subtle symbols. Something appearing very obvious such as the dried rice snacks makes me wonder what the other meaning Lahiri implied as she incorporated it in the novel. It is apparent that Mrs. Das does not share it with her family; but further reading suggests that it also represents her seclusion and disconnection with her husband and children. As she begins applying nail polish, we again notice that she is in her own world and does not want to take care of her own children. We can see her incoherence with her family as she argues with her husband if she would take her daughter to the bathroom, her refusal to take a family picture, and bitter attitude towards her husband. Throughout the novel, we see Mrs. Das’ dissatisfaction of her husband. Although they seemed to have a happy childhood, their adult lives appear to have been destroyed by their arranged marriage because they are not compatible mates. As they grow older, their parents expect their happy childhood lives continue; however, as Mr. Kapashi points out that Mr. and Mrs. Das remain immature, behaving much like their children.


Although the monkeys are used to fill the plot at the end of the story, they serve to convey to readers a meaningful theme about the dynamic of Das’ family. As I mentioned in class, it is very important to note that Lahiri intended to use the monkeys to represent Mrs. Das’ naiveté and immaturity, but also to give a sense of parallelism in Mr. Kapashi’s relations with her. The children constantly want to look at the monkeys like Mr. Kapashi discreetly admiring Mrs. Das’ beauty in the car and throughout the tour. When the monkeys follow the trails of Mrs. Das’ rice cracker crumbs, it seems to resemble Mr. Kapashi who finds an interest and desire to pursue a temptation in Mrs. Das. At the Udayagirian hills, the monkeys form a ring around Mr. Das and the kids to symbolize the family’s cohesiveness and separation from their mother as well as Mrs. Das’ trust in Mr. Kapashi. Before Bobby is attacked, he exchanges a broken branch with a monkey, representing Mrs. Das’ revealing and sharing the secret of Bobby’s illegitimate father. Since the monkey attack is unexpected, Mr. Kapashi explains, “They are more hungry than dangerous.” Such an episode represents the shell-shocked feeling that Mr. Kapashi experiences as Mrs. Das unveils for the first time the story about Bobby. I also like how Lahiri slyly hints that Mrs. Das is not a responsible mother when she does not fend off the monkeys. As she urges Mr. Kapashi to intervene and help, it is indirectly stated that Mrs. Das lacks the instincts of a mother to defend her children from danger.


By examining the Temple of the Sun, the readers experience the Das family’s anguish that such a structure resembling a circle of trust and marital vows are deteriorating. We experience the same shock when we learn about Mrs. Das’ infidelity, which insidiously erodes her happiness. We perceive when love is absent, it is almost like the inscrutable woman figures that have withstood years of weathering. In our class discussion, I enjoyed learning about the representation of the dried up river along with the rubble that suggest a failed and incompatible marriage that contains lives destined for further emotional deterioration. Mr. Kapashi’s favorite figure, the Astachala-Surya contains a tired figure surrounded by women. As all things must come to an end, I believe that this setting-sun figure foreshadows his final positive opinion of Mrs. Das as the day transitions into night. This is the last time he admires her beauty because their next conversation reveals her tarnished history--he later does not feel their previous emotional affinity.

Though this is a short story, it contains all the necessary points and clues to invigorate the readers’ minds. The length of the story allows us to focus on the smaller portions of the novel and serves to expand the themes into a broader perspective. Implied within different parts of the story are symbols that present it in a different manner. After re-reading and analyzing the points such as those above, I am convinced to have accomplished in grasping the meanings of Lahiri’s intentions. (827)