"Battle Royal," a short story by Ralph Ellison, was first published in 1952 as part of his collection "Invisible Man." The story is narrated by an African American man who is not named in the text and is referred to only as "the narrator."
The story begins with the narrator giving a speech at a gathering of white men, who are members of a benevolent organization. The narrator is invited to give the speech as a reward for winning an essay contest, and he is excited to have the opportunity to speak to a group of influential white men. However, as he begins to give his speech, he is interrupted by the sounds of a "battle royal" that is taking place in another room.
The narrator is eventually forced to participate in the battle royal, which is a brutal fight between several young African American men. The fight is staged for the entertainment of the white men, who cheer and jeer as the young men try to land punches on each other. The narrator is injured in the fight and is barely able to stand when it is over.
After the battle royal, the narrator is given a small amount of money and told to give a speech. He is confused and disoriented by the experience, and he struggles to find the right words to say. He ultimately delivers a speech that is poorly received by the white men, who laugh at him and mock his words.
The story ends with the narrator reflecting on the experience and the realization that he has been used and exploited by the white men. He comes to understand that he is invisible to them, and that they do not see him as a fully human being.
Overall, "Battle Royal" is a powerful and poignant story that explores themes of racism, exploitation, and the struggle for identity and self-worth. It serves as a powerful commentary on the experience of African Americans in a society that is deeply divided by race and that often treats them as second-class citizens.
