White Supremacy In Ralph Ellison's Battle Royal

In Ralph Ellison’s “Battle Royal” illuminates how white supremacy still overpowered black people particularly black male—the protagonist, even after slavery. “It made me afraid that someday they would look upon me as a traitor and I would be lost. Still I was more afraid to act any other way because they didn’t like that at all” (227). In this statement by the narrator, a young African American man “considered an example of desirable conduct” (227) by the white people, shows how he is diverted to please them. Since, he was admired and well-known for his intelligence by the “town’s big shots” (227) he has this need and desire to give them satisfaction despite his well-being. He is so careful with his actions because he is apprehensive to be considered a traitor and be left out by society after all of his achievements. In view of, their community is mastered by the white men and even though this was after the Civil War, black people are still under white people. Racial Inequality can still be seen even after slavery. The narrator considers himself an “Invisible Man” because he is never where he is. At the beginning of the story, he was ashamed and confused of himself because he does not know who he truly is and what path should he take. Is it the path what his mind is telling him, that he should follow society and be what they want him to be or follow his grandfather’s words which what his heart and soul tells him to be? Therefore, in …show more content…
In “Battle Royal”, the white men did not named or call any black men as their “slaves” but they still treated them and think of them as one. “Leggo, nigger! Leggo” (232) this statement proves that they are referring them as their slaves. It took white people a long period of time to treat black people equally even after slavery that is why they did not gain opportunities and benefits that were