The American dream for many individuals is the opportunity to achieve wealth and success in life. However throughout time, the American dream only qualified to certain individuals; and thus this notion of success remained difficult for many groups to achieve due to their race, gender, and/or religion. Ralph Ellison story, “Battle Royal”, demonstrates a clear distinction between the white men’s American Dream and those of minority groups. Ellison illustrates the dream of the white folks as a concept accompanied with ease, as they are privileged in life. As for many African Americans during the 1930’s, the American dream remained difficult and was ideally controlled by the dominant figures of society. Social equality and the opportunity for success
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The importance of hard work will be rewarded pertains directly to minority groups. As for the narrator, an African American male, he is passionate in obtaining a college education. Working hard for the narrator is the only means to become successful and obtain some sort of dignity for those accomplishments. The boxing ring represents America and the overall battle and struggle one must endure to come out on top as a minority. “The blindfolds were put on. Yet even then I had been going over my speech. In my mind each word was as bright as flame”. Ultimately, the narrator is sacrificing a minor part of his dignity for the opportunity to receive a formal education. The boxing ring also represents the social control of minorities, as the fighters inside were forced to be a source of entertainment for the spectators: Caucasian males. “Everyone fought hysterically. It was complete anarchy. Everybody fought everybody else. No group fought together for long.” The group of fighters show obedience to the dominant group because of the consequences that may occur if they do
The importance of hard work will be rewarded pertains directly to minority groups. As for the narrator, an African American male, he is passionate in obtaining a college education. Working hard for the narrator is the only means to become successful and obtain some sort of dignity for those accomplishments. The boxing ring represents America and the overall battle and struggle one must endure to come out on top as a minority. “The blindfolds were put on. Yet even then I had been going over my speech. In my mind each word was as bright as flame”. Ultimately, the narrator is sacrificing a minor part of his dignity for the opportunity to receive a formal education. The boxing ring also represents the social control of minorities, as the fighters inside were forced to be a source of entertainment for the spectators: Caucasian males. “Everyone fought hysterically. It was complete anarchy. Everybody fought everybody else. No group fought together for long.” The group of fighters show obedience to the dominant group because of the consequences that may occur if they do