Theme, Theme And Themes InBattle Royal, By Ralph Ellison

An author uses setting, character, plot, theme, language, and point-of-view to express their thoughts into their writing, and as a reader, one perceives what they write. Each characteristic of a story further develops the ideas differently. The setting of a story can develop the idea further with the time frame of the story, giving the reader a historic background; whereas the language can distinguish the mood and tone of the story. By looking at all these elements of a story, people are able to find a central idea of a piece. In â€Å"Battle Royal,† Ellison expresses the idea of segregation throughout the story, mainly focusing on the social responsibility of the whites and blacks with the conflicts that take place, externally and internally.†¦show more content†¦The protagonist is finally seeing an environment around him where his grandfather is right. The protagonist uses the grandfather’s advice to then write a speech. In the short story â€Å"Battle Royal,† the narrator is then invited to read his speech to the leading white citizens at the hotel ballroom. It is at this event where everything changes. As the narrator arrives, he expects to give his speech, but in reality, he shows up to a battle royal. At the battle royal, the white men trick the blacks with fake coins. The protagonist had a decision to make: follow what he is told by the white citizens, or stand up for his rights. In the short story: â€Å"[The protagonist] lunged for a yellow coin lying on the blue design of the carpet, touching it and sending a surprised shriek to join those around me. [He] tried frantically to remove my hand but could not let go. A hot, violent force tore through [his] body, shaking [him] like a wet rat. The rug was electrified. The hair bristled up on [his] head as [he] shook [himself] free. [The narrator’s] muscles jumped, [his] nerves jangled, writhed† (Ellison 1217). This quote represents the chaos that went on in the hotel ballroom. The black men were tricked by the white people with coins on an electrocuted rug. As they picked up a coin, they would get electrocuted. The blacks were not expecting the torture they had went through. As the blacks were being tortured, the whites just sat there laughing; it was all just a