"Battle Royal", by Ralph Ellison, explores the difficulties black men faced in the pre-civil rights era. Before the civil rights movement began to end segregation and to end the oppression of black men and women, American culture still viewed African Americans as inferior people. Throughout the South and in other American cities, blacks were still treated as if they were lesser citizens or even as quasi slaves. Ellison’s short story explores the effects segregation had on the black men and how dehumanizing racism truly is. Racism not only affects those who are targeted, but it also affects the source. "Battle Royal" exemplifies the degradation and dehumanization of society through the personal experiences of a young black man.
In the few opening paragraphs, we are introduced to the narrator through the recollection of his grandfather’s death. In the short sequence of events, the narrator first begins to question his outlook on life when his grandfather last words are, "Our life is a war and I have been a traitor all my born days, a spy in the enemy’s country" (2). Since his grandfather was an outstanding member of the community and in many ways just like him, the narrator cannot understand why the old man would chose to confess to such terrible deeds. Throughout the rest of his childhood, the narrator is uneasy about his success in the white community and his "desirable conduct". Every praise he receives the narrator can only think of his grandfather’s last chilling words. Yet after many years of absent submission to the white community, the narrator finally realizes first hand of his subservient role to the white men.
For many years after his grandfather’s death, the narrator is oblivious to his last powerful words. After his experiences in the hotel with the leading white members of the community, he soon learns that he is not an equal in the white community. When the young black men are first lead into the hotel, they are ushered through the elevators and rooms as if they were mere cattle. They are treated as if they are unwelcome foreigners as they cluster together when they enter the room full of drunken white men. To their surprise, the leading white town officials are all at the party and are drinking heavily. As they are further ushered past aggressive and jeering white men, the narrator recollects that, "I almost wet my pants" as he makes his way on to the stage and in front of the white crowd. Again, the black men are surprised to find a stark naked white woman right in front of their eyes. At the time, it was social taboo that black men should desire a white woman and the white men in the crowd threaten the narrator as he glances over her. As the woman starts to dance, the white men turn into animals as they attempt to grab her and carry her off. Although the men had acted so poorly towards the blacks, the woman’s abuse further shows how animalistic the drunken men are. Once the woman leaves, the men turn their attention back towards the blacks and force them into the boxing ring.
As the narrator is blind folded and forced to fight, he begins to see the power the whites have over him. The narrator is a mere spectacle and a form of sick entertainment for the white men. By forcing the blacks to fight, the men are exercising their control over every aspect of the black’s lives. Although they are free men, the whites attempt to display their superiority over them as they treat them like puppets. The blacks are told to fight each other, so without question the young men do as they are told. By forcing the men to fight each other for no reason, the whites are displaying their total control over the black men’s lives. Even as the narrator tries to reason with Tatlock to end the mindless fight, Tatlock refuses to even listen to the narrator’s bargains. Tatlock's only concern is to fight because the white men told him to do so. After the fight, the white men further dehumanize themselves and the blacks by forcing them to fight over a few dollars. As the men electrocute themselves fighting over the coins, the white men jeer and lash out against any of the blacks who do not participate. After the opening "festivities", the narrator is brought forward to give a speech. During his oration, the white men constantly laugh and yell over him. When the narrator talks of social equality the room falls silent. The white men begin to shout threatening remarks until the narrator explains that he only misspoke. Again, the whites show that even talking about social equality is not acceptable. At the end of his speech, the men award the narrator a scholarship and begin to praise him for his accomplishments. Even after all that had happened to him that night, the narrator was blinded by what appeared to be a token of appreciation. However, in reality the scholarship was only another control the white men believed they had over the narrator. The white men believed that they were the only ones that had the power to send him to school. If they chose too, they could help anyone they wished because they were in complete control. At the end of the night, not only were the blacks dehumanized by the white’s forced humiliation, but also the white men’s racist actions showed how cruel and animalistic men could be.
By the end of the short story, the narrator finally realizes what his grandfather’s dying words meant. For all of the old man’s life, he had been subservient to the white man’s control and did nothing to combat it. Just like the narrator, the old man never lashed out against the segregation and degradation he faced from the whites. The old man and the narrator alike were viewed as outstanding, quiet, desirable members of the community only because they submitted to the white man’s racism and control. At the end of his grandfather’s life, the old man finally regretted his complacence and hoped that his grandson would not make the same mistakes he did. After the narrator realizes that the white men had used him and that his scholarship is another control by the white men over his life, he finally sees that his life is second in importance to the white man’s desires. (1082)
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Response to A Good Man is Hard to Find
In Flannery O’Connor’s short story, "A Good Man is Hard to Find", the interactions between the bizarre characters create an interesting framework in which O’Connor can discuss the nature of human psychology. The short story focuses on the series of unfortunate events that comprise a family’s road trip across the southeast. Through these events and the character’s various reactions, the reader realizes that nothing in life can be taken for what it seems. In the short story, some of the characters experience circumstances that challenge their outlook on life. It is evident that the author believes people are often not who they pretend to be. Through the course of events in "A Good Man is Hard to Find", we experience how different people actually are from their self-image and how dramatic events can challenge everything that you believe in.
From the introduction, the grandmother appears to be the most prominent character in the short story. She is very talkative, self-centered, bossy, manipulative, and seems as if she is a thorn in her family’s side. When she does not want to go to Florida, she selfishly attempts to manipulate her son into canceling their trip by arguing that "I wouldn’t take my children in any direction with a criminal loose in it. I couldn’t answer to my conscience if I did."(1) After her attempt to sway her son and daughter-in-law is to no avail, she is the first one ready to get on the road. Although she had put up a fight to cancel the trip, she could not bear to be left behind. As the trip progresses, the family sees a poor boy standing in the doorway of his shanty. The grandmother, even after proclaiming that that it is hard to find good people anymore like herself, claims that, "Little niggers in the country don’t have things like we do."(20) The grandmother disrespects the small child instead of even thinking to stop to help him in anyway possible or even to pity his condition. When the family arrives at Red Sammy’s the grandmother quickly picks up Red Sam’s opinion that, "These days you don’t know who to trust."(35) She jumps at the opportunity to again express her belief that "People are certainly not nice like they used to be." (35) The grandmother identifies herself and Red Sam as the last of the truly "nice" people although she causes problems within her family and Red Sam appears to have problems with his wife.
Back on the road, the grandmother selfishly tricks her grandchildren into convincing their father to turn the car around to search for an old plantation from her younger years. She tricks them by claiming that, "There was a secret panel in this house…and silver was hidden in it when Sherman came through but it was never found…" (47) During her snipe hunt, the grandmother’s cat jumps onto her son’s shoulder causing him to flip the car. After she regains her senses, the old lady hopes that, "she was injured so the Bailey’s wrath would not come down on her all at once." (66) She does not even consider that her family could have died from her actions. Her only concern after regaining conscience is that she will not be blamed for the accident. Soon after when the Misfit arrives, the old lady selfishly tries to save herself, "You wouldn’t shoot a lady, would you?" (86) After her attempts to quell the Misfit are to no avail, she begins to try to convince him that he is truly a good man at heart. Even after her son and grandson are shot, the grandmother still tries to reason with the killer by calling him a good man. Exhausting her sweet talk, the old lady turns to God. She asks the Misfit "Why don’t you pray?" and his only response is that "I don’t want no hep, I’m doing all right by myself." (120) The old lady again pleads with the killer selfishly offering him all of her money to get out of the situation. The Misfit is still unperturbed by the old lady’s pitiful pleas.
When it is clear that all hope is lost, the grandmother finally realizes that she has been hypocritical her entire life. Although she had always preached about her olden days in which people were kinder, she in fact was not kind at all. She manipulated her family into listening to her. It was her fault that they were in the mess they stumbled into. She finally takes the blame for all of her sins once she realizes that her life is about to end. Acting as if she is a saint, she reaches out to touch the Misfit suggesting that she has forgiven him for his sins. As she moves towards him she murmurs, "Why you’re one of my babies. You’re one of my children." (137) As if in a trance from the old lady’s discussion about God and forgiveness, the Misfit recoils from her touch and shoots her three times. Although the grandmother is unable to change the Misfit’s habit of killing, her pure soul at the end of her life shocks the killer. He finally realizes that there are some truly innocent victims and after killing the old lady, he sees that his life no longer means anything. He remarks to his partner in crime that "It’s no real pleasure in life" suggesting that the Misfit can no longer enjoy killing. The grandmother’s actions before her death convinced the killer that people could be saved through believing in God.
Although the short story ends abruptly with the death of the entire family, the grandmother is able to come to terms with her shortcomings and accept her sins. By truly believing in God and in God’s grace, the old lady realizes that she has made many mistakes throughout her life but that she can cope with her weaknesses. Right before she is shot, the old lady accepts herself for who she is and dies a peaceful woman. (1000)
From the introduction, the grandmother appears to be the most prominent character in the short story. She is very talkative, self-centered, bossy, manipulative, and seems as if she is a thorn in her family’s side. When she does not want to go to Florida, she selfishly attempts to manipulate her son into canceling their trip by arguing that "I wouldn’t take my children in any direction with a criminal loose in it. I couldn’t answer to my conscience if I did."(1) After her attempt to sway her son and daughter-in-law is to no avail, she is the first one ready to get on the road. Although she had put up a fight to cancel the trip, she could not bear to be left behind. As the trip progresses, the family sees a poor boy standing in the doorway of his shanty. The grandmother, even after proclaiming that that it is hard to find good people anymore like herself, claims that, "Little niggers in the country don’t have things like we do."(20) The grandmother disrespects the small child instead of even thinking to stop to help him in anyway possible or even to pity his condition. When the family arrives at Red Sammy’s the grandmother quickly picks up Red Sam’s opinion that, "These days you don’t know who to trust."(35) She jumps at the opportunity to again express her belief that "People are certainly not nice like they used to be." (35) The grandmother identifies herself and Red Sam as the last of the truly "nice" people although she causes problems within her family and Red Sam appears to have problems with his wife.
Back on the road, the grandmother selfishly tricks her grandchildren into convincing their father to turn the car around to search for an old plantation from her younger years. She tricks them by claiming that, "There was a secret panel in this house…and silver was hidden in it when Sherman came through but it was never found…" (47) During her snipe hunt, the grandmother’s cat jumps onto her son’s shoulder causing him to flip the car. After she regains her senses, the old lady hopes that, "she was injured so the Bailey’s wrath would not come down on her all at once." (66) She does not even consider that her family could have died from her actions. Her only concern after regaining conscience is that she will not be blamed for the accident. Soon after when the Misfit arrives, the old lady selfishly tries to save herself, "You wouldn’t shoot a lady, would you?" (86) After her attempts to quell the Misfit are to no avail, she begins to try to convince him that he is truly a good man at heart. Even after her son and grandson are shot, the grandmother still tries to reason with the killer by calling him a good man. Exhausting her sweet talk, the old lady turns to God. She asks the Misfit "Why don’t you pray?" and his only response is that "I don’t want no hep, I’m doing all right by myself." (120) The old lady again pleads with the killer selfishly offering him all of her money to get out of the situation. The Misfit is still unperturbed by the old lady’s pitiful pleas.
When it is clear that all hope is lost, the grandmother finally realizes that she has been hypocritical her entire life. Although she had always preached about her olden days in which people were kinder, she in fact was not kind at all. She manipulated her family into listening to her. It was her fault that they were in the mess they stumbled into. She finally takes the blame for all of her sins once she realizes that her life is about to end. Acting as if she is a saint, she reaches out to touch the Misfit suggesting that she has forgiven him for his sins. As she moves towards him she murmurs, "Why you’re one of my babies. You’re one of my children." (137) As if in a trance from the old lady’s discussion about God and forgiveness, the Misfit recoils from her touch and shoots her three times. Although the grandmother is unable to change the Misfit’s habit of killing, her pure soul at the end of her life shocks the killer. He finally realizes that there are some truly innocent victims and after killing the old lady, he sees that his life no longer means anything. He remarks to his partner in crime that "It’s no real pleasure in life" suggesting that the Misfit can no longer enjoy killing. The grandmother’s actions before her death convinced the killer that people could be saved through believing in God.
Although the short story ends abruptly with the death of the entire family, the grandmother is able to come to terms with her shortcomings and accept her sins. By truly believing in God and in God’s grace, the old lady realizes that she has made many mistakes throughout her life but that she can cope with her weaknesses. Right before she is shot, the old lady accepts herself for who she is and dies a peaceful woman. (1000)
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Teenage Wasteland Response
Anne Tyler’s short story, "Teenage Wasteland", chronicles the decay of an adolescent boy facing a difficult period of his life. Although Donny’s mother Daisy cares greatly for her child, Daisy is unable to save him from his spiraling descent leading to his complete emotional breakdown. As a child, Donny is a well-natured boy that appears to have no qualms with the world around him. Once Donny beings to mature into a teenager, his mother senses that there may be a dark side to his character. He becomes an obstinate, misunderstood boy showing many difficulties both academically and socially.
Although the author chooses not to elaborate on the years preceding his fifteenth birthday, we first encounter Donny’s problems when Daisy is called to speak with the principle regarding her son’s foul behavior. The school advises Daisy to seek professional support for Donny for both emotional and academic issues. A former fourth grade teacher, Daisy feels obligated to help tutor her son and raise his grades on her own. Donny barely responds to his mother’s guidance and determination to help him succeed. Although Daisy employs all of her effort, her son simply does not want to cooperate with anyone. It seems that Donny has so much contempt for the world around him that there is no way that he can be helped. At a loss, Daisy agrees to hire the private tutor at great expense to her family financially and emotionally. Cal, the new tutor, successfully befriends Donny by agreeing that it is the world, not Donny, which is at fault. Even though Cal is intended to be an academic tutor, Cal takes on a role more suited for a therapist. After weeks of help, Daisy sees little change in Donny’s behavior and his grades continue plummet. Eventually Donny is expelled from school for misconduct and shortly after he disappears. It is clear that Donny is unable to handle the problems in his life. Rather than confront his issues, Donny simply runs away from anything he cannot face.
Donny receives every bit of compassion and support a young boy could hope for. His caring parents attempt to personally guide him through a tough time in his life and Donny is simply unresponsive. He is given a personal guidance counselor to help support him in ways his parents can not. Repeatedly Donny simply does not respond to any help he receives. His own stubborn character leads him to his demise. It is not those around him that ruin his life, but rather Donny’s own actions. Donny’s life failed not because of his parent’s faults or his tutor’s faults. Donny’s life failed simply because he did not try hard enough to overcome his problems. He never takes responsibility for his own actions and always attempts to push the blame on others around him. When Daisy questions him about the beer in his locker he claims that, "It wasn’t my fault. I promise…It was a put-up-job! See, there’s this guy that doesn’t like me." In his opinion, nothing that goes wrong in his life is his fault. It is anyone or anything around him that he pushes the blame too. Donny’s nature simply makes it impossible for him to confront his own problems and fix them. No one but Donny can care enough to fix his own mistakes and his life, not even his parents. If Donny wants to change his life for the better, then it is up to him to do it. No one else can do it for him. The only way that Donny can turn his life around is to recognize his faults and, with his parents, teachers, and tutors support, fix them one by one. Donny simply is not motivated to mend his broken life. In the end, he would rather run away from his issues than confront them. Donny’s character is frankly too weak, not because of those around him, but because of himself. Adolescence is a hard time for both parents and their children, but it is up to the children to take control of their own lives and take responsibility for their mistakes and correct them. Cal, Daisy, and Matt all have their flaws in supporting Donny but they all attempt to help him. No one wants to see Donny fail. No one is working against Donny’s success. Although Cal may be an insincere mentor, Cal has no motivation to ruin Donny’s life. No one is hoping that Donny will fail. Mentors and parents can only give advice and support. It is up to the adolescent, Donny, to make the actual changes necessary to correct the issues in his own life. Parents and mentors can only help Donny understand what he must do to help himself. They cannot forcefully change Donny for the better unless he wants it for himself. In the end, Donny must take the reins himself to truly have an effect on improving his life. Since he is not strong enough to take his life under his own control, Donny takes the easy way out by running away for good. (846)
Although the author chooses not to elaborate on the years preceding his fifteenth birthday, we first encounter Donny’s problems when Daisy is called to speak with the principle regarding her son’s foul behavior. The school advises Daisy to seek professional support for Donny for both emotional and academic issues. A former fourth grade teacher, Daisy feels obligated to help tutor her son and raise his grades on her own. Donny barely responds to his mother’s guidance and determination to help him succeed. Although Daisy employs all of her effort, her son simply does not want to cooperate with anyone. It seems that Donny has so much contempt for the world around him that there is no way that he can be helped. At a loss, Daisy agrees to hire the private tutor at great expense to her family financially and emotionally. Cal, the new tutor, successfully befriends Donny by agreeing that it is the world, not Donny, which is at fault. Even though Cal is intended to be an academic tutor, Cal takes on a role more suited for a therapist. After weeks of help, Daisy sees little change in Donny’s behavior and his grades continue plummet. Eventually Donny is expelled from school for misconduct and shortly after he disappears. It is clear that Donny is unable to handle the problems in his life. Rather than confront his issues, Donny simply runs away from anything he cannot face.
Donny receives every bit of compassion and support a young boy could hope for. His caring parents attempt to personally guide him through a tough time in his life and Donny is simply unresponsive. He is given a personal guidance counselor to help support him in ways his parents can not. Repeatedly Donny simply does not respond to any help he receives. His own stubborn character leads him to his demise. It is not those around him that ruin his life, but rather Donny’s own actions. Donny’s life failed not because of his parent’s faults or his tutor’s faults. Donny’s life failed simply because he did not try hard enough to overcome his problems. He never takes responsibility for his own actions and always attempts to push the blame on others around him. When Daisy questions him about the beer in his locker he claims that, "It wasn’t my fault. I promise…It was a put-up-job! See, there’s this guy that doesn’t like me." In his opinion, nothing that goes wrong in his life is his fault. It is anyone or anything around him that he pushes the blame too. Donny’s nature simply makes it impossible for him to confront his own problems and fix them. No one but Donny can care enough to fix his own mistakes and his life, not even his parents. If Donny wants to change his life for the better, then it is up to him to do it. No one else can do it for him. The only way that Donny can turn his life around is to recognize his faults and, with his parents, teachers, and tutors support, fix them one by one. Donny simply is not motivated to mend his broken life. In the end, he would rather run away from his issues than confront them. Donny’s character is frankly too weak, not because of those around him, but because of himself. Adolescence is a hard time for both parents and their children, but it is up to the children to take control of their own lives and take responsibility for their mistakes and correct them. Cal, Daisy, and Matt all have their flaws in supporting Donny but they all attempt to help him. No one wants to see Donny fail. No one is working against Donny’s success. Although Cal may be an insincere mentor, Cal has no motivation to ruin Donny’s life. No one is hoping that Donny will fail. Mentors and parents can only give advice and support. It is up to the adolescent, Donny, to make the actual changes necessary to correct the issues in his own life. Parents and mentors can only help Donny understand what he must do to help himself. They cannot forcefully change Donny for the better unless he wants it for himself. In the end, Donny must take the reins himself to truly have an effect on improving his life. Since he is not strong enough to take his life under his own control, Donny takes the easy way out by running away for good. (846)
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