Ralph Ellison's Battle Royale Ralph Book Review

I never told you, but our life is a war and I have been a traitor all my born days, a spy in the enemy's country ever since I give up my gun back in the Reconstruction. Live with your head in the lion's mouth. I want you to overcome 'em with yeses, undermine 'em with grins, agree 'em to death and destruction, let 'em swoller you till they vomit or bust wide open."

During the fight, the protagonist's blindfold slips just enough for him to see the other fighters. "Pushed this way and that by the legs milling around me, I finally pulled erect and discovered that I could see the black, sweat- washed forms weaving in the smoky, blue atmosphere like drunken dancers weaving to the rapid drum-like thuds of blows." He instantly recognizes the importance of not letting it slip so much that his tactical advantage (of sight) becomes apparent to the audience. In that instant, he also recognizes the true meaning and importance of his grandfather's dying words. "… with my eye partly opened now there was not so much terror. I moved carefully, avoiding blows, although not too many to attract attention, fighting group to group."

In that moment, the protagonist finally recognizes the message that his grandfather had meant to communicate to him. He resolves to apply that same strategy of concealing his advantage of his intelligence and ability from those who would wish to continue depriving him of equality and opportunity. He emerges from the Battle Royale a changed person with a clear vision of how he will employ his grandfather's advice for the rest of his life as long as white society refuses to grant equality to blacks and other…