"Battle Royal" is a short story by Ralph Ellison that explores themes of race, identity, and social injustice. The narrative follows an unnamed African American narrator who participates in a brutal, dehumanizing battle among young black men, organized by white elites. The event serves as a metaphor for the struggles faced by African Americans in a racially divided society. The story highlights the narrator's journey toward self-awareness and the realization of his own invisibility in a world that refuses to acknowledge his humanity. Through vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Ellison critiques the systemic racism and exploitation prevalent in American society.