Invisible Man, Battle Royal, By Ralph Ellison

Should certain literature works be taught in every American Literature course in representation of importance in historical and social American culture? The first thing to look at in order to answer this question is why literature is taught at all. Literature has its importance in the aspect of teaching students the “other side” of a past we may have never walked. Considering it dates back to well before any of us who walk this earth were thought of, it has played a role in history devised in an English class. Many of us take for granted what an old neglected book or author of a former period may be revealing of past we would not know much about without it being written. Not only is the book revealing history but also may be teaching the reader a lesson or unraveling a better since of understanding about what many may not have known. In Invisible Man, chapter 1 “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison, he disclosed more than a subjection of African Americans but also subjection to all of mankind. Slavery ended in 1865 on December 6th although President Abraham Lincoln issued his signed Emancipation of Proclamation in 1863 on January 1st. Though slavery ended, the projection of equality didn’t exist and separation of color had stayed consistent. Ellison book, Invisible Man …show more content…
Once literature is published, it is around forever. Although most literature is of fiction, it can be applied as if it were a real situation that occurred. The narrator in “Battle Royal” was one whom was naive about those in his surroundings; he became to realize that what he wanted was something he could not get without being a circus act. He did not understand exactly what and why his grandfather was saying the many things hew disclosed of in his deathbed until later on. The narrator was too busy looking for acceptance of the white men who cared nothing for him rather than staying true to