Ellison uses several symbols in “Battle Royal.”

1. Ellison uses several symbols in “Battle Royal.”  What are some of these, what do they represent, and how do you think they illustrate the struggle for civil rights?

2. King and X are similar to Washington and DuBois.  How are the similar?  What major differences do you see between the 4 writers, and what is the significance of these differences?

3. Anzaldua’s work looks at “Linguistic Terrorism.”  What does she mean by this term?  How do you think gender works in conjunction with race in an effort to silence Latina voices?  

4.  In the 60s and 70s, it became “chic” to celebrate one’s African heritage, an many of these “celebrations” ring hollow.  Through a character analysis of the narrator, Dee (Wangero) and Maggie, what commentary do you think Walker is making about what it means to be “African American?”