This “coming of age story” is the self-contained first chapter of Ralph Ellison’s acclaimed novel, Invisible Man. A young African American is invited to repeat his high school graduation speech, which focused on humility, at a gathering of the town’s leading white citizens. Upon arrival, he learns that he must first participate in a “battle royal”: a depraved, demeaning group fight event. When he finally makes his speech, few people pay any attention until a slip of the tongue changes its tone from humble to activist. Themes include heritage and identity, naiveté, racism, emancipation, class, sexism, violence.
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