Ralph Ellison uses symbolism in the first chapter of Invisible Man to illustrate the culture in which he lived and was raised. In the chapter titled “Battle Royal,” Ellison intends to deliver his graduation speech to the white elite of his community. However, before she can deliver said speech, he is forced to perform humiliating tasks. The use of symbols is evident throughout "Battle Royal", particularly regarding the imagery of hell, the struggle for power, and the circus metaphor. The setting of the chapter is considerably symbolic. The story takes place in a luxurious ballroom that Ellison has masterfully transformed into a living hell. It's the smoker. The men in the audience “smoke black cigars” (1255). The room was "hazy with cigar smoke", although the room is described as large and with a high ceiling (1255). The narrator also gives these men animal qualities that reveal them to be essentially savages. We see them “gobbling up food” (1254). Later, they “run after [the dancer] laughing and screaming” (1257). Although less voracious, the narrator even compares the perverted old man to a drunken panda. The narrator also describes them as having “red faces” (1259). In this characterization, the men seem to have all the characteristics of the demons of Hell. The image of Hell is further advanced when the combatants are blindfolded. The narrator explains: “...now I felt a sudden attack of blind terror. » (1257). When the fight began, he added, “[t]he smoke had become thicker and with each new blow it seemed to burn and restrict my lungs more. My saliva became like hot, bitter glue. (1258). The men demonstrate their authority over him and his classmates. The dancing woman is a perfect example. The ten fighters were positioned in front of the ballroom. Then the woman was exhibited, all eyes were on her. She was completely naked except for her makeup and a tattoo of the American flag. Her face was “heavily powdered and made up…[her] eyes hollow and smeared with a cold blue.” (1256). She represents America, and therefore freedom. The men in the audience, while just as obsessed as the fighters, have more control. In their society, they have the right to look at a white woman. However, the fighters are black and therefore are supposed to suppress all thoughts of her so that they are not killed. This demonstration also serves to steal part of their masculinity..