I felt that the movie “Django Unchained” and Ralph Ellison’s short story, “Battle Royal,” are very similar in a variety of ways. Both are about the struggles with identity that African Americans faced during the 19th century, and the movie, as well as the story, display certain tactics that were used in order to humiliate and torture African Americans. In “Battle Royal,” a battle takes place for the amusement of white men, as well as for the purpose of humiliating blacks, and Django contains a scene just like in the story; in “Django,” Dr. King Schultz and Django, a black man, enter a room where two black men are violently fighting for no reason except for white men’s entertainment, and Django has no choice but to sit there and watch as the two fight till the death. The movie vividly displays many acts of discrimination against blacks during the 19th century, and just like in “Battle Royal,” the movie shows how African Americans had a very insignificant, yet distinct place in society during that time period. Similarly to Django, the invisible man from “Battle Royal” knows his place in society as a black man, yet he has a vision of what is right and how all people should be equal in society. Unfortunately, both Django and the invisible man know that establishing equality for blacks is far from reach. Also, in both the movie and the short story, I felt that both the invisible man and Django each took some course of action to mobilize the movement towards equality for African Americans; Django took Dr. Schultz’s offer of helping him kill wanted, white men for money. In turn, Django began to enjoy having the power to kill white men who were brutalizing and torturing not only his wife, but blacks in general. On the other hand, the invisible man in “Battle Royal” wanted to say a speech in front of the group of white men at their meeting, and he also accidently said social “equality” instead of “responsibility,” which in my opinion, was done purposely in order to make a statement regarding the deserving equality for African Americans. Overall, both “Django” and “Battle Royal” consisted of the dehumanization of blacks as well as one man who attempted to make a stand. Although each story ends differently, the events that occur in both the movie and the story seem to be the start towards the race to equality for blacks in the United States
Danielle, I completely agree with your comparison of “Django Unchained” and the short story “Battle Royal”, especially the fighting scene. The scene in “Battle Royal” where all of the African American boys are fighting in the rink really reminds me of the movie “Django” and when the slaves are fighting each other until death. Also, in the story when the boys are fighting for the coins on the carpet, that also reminded me of “Django” because the slaves were fighting for their lives, something that also has a value. The white men in both the movie and the book were watching these young men fight for their own entertainment, which seems sick.
ReplyDeleteDanielle, I agree with the connections you've made with "Battle Royal" and "Django Unchained." First of all, both stories have so much in common and you made sure to tie that in. Your post is very well written and organized. I was able to picture the connections that you made. For example, when the students in "Battle Royal" fought and the wrestling in "Django Unchained." When you mentioned that in class, I was able to understand what was happening in the story. I better understood every aspect I skip about the story.
ReplyDeleteDanielle, the connection you made between "Battle Royal and “Django” is spot on. When I read the story I too was almost immediately reminded of the movie “Django,” especially during the fight scene. You provided ample examples to prove your connection and even added your own analyzation of the story to provide another clear and strong connection between the two. The fights shown in both are connected not only because they are fighting for entertainment, but because they are both traditional and show hierarchy. In both situations, the white men clearly had the power. They are both common place, unquestioned, and morally wrong.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the connections you have made between "Django Unchained" and "Battle Royal" on how they both illustrated different ways to torture and humiliate African Americans for White Americans' entertainment. I feel that some African American of this time (1952) had no sense of identity because they would conform to the white man's demands as seen in both the movie and Ellison's short story, "Battle Royal". Also, I like the modern aspect of showing African American history on how we were discriminated and dismissed for people's amusement. Do not get me wrong I believe that what we endured was not justice but it can be used as an eye opener to know where we "came" form in society and where we want to go. Lessons are learned through the morals we give them, but knowledge is gained only through understanding.
ReplyDeleteThank You, Danielle this was a great post.
I remember when we were in class, and you pointed out and told us “ No one take Django!” Girl, you got it right on the nail with this one! One of the very first thoughts that came to my mind in class is that scene in Django where they see the two men fighting with each other.
ReplyDeleteAll though, I do feel it is a bit different because in the movie they are slaves, and they are doing this because they were purchased to do so. In the shorty story, they voluntarily fight each other for a sense of “pride”. Great comparison though! You go!
I think it is funny that everyone made the exact same connection. Congrats to you for calling dibs before anyone else wrote about it – that takes balls. I think the fighting scene in the movie is uncanny to the fighting scene in the story. Both black men in the scenes were fighting against each other in order to survive the wrath of the white man if they did not please them. It is outright disgusting. However, the only positive outlook would be is that the men in the story left the event with their lives, unlike the Mondango fights that only left one man alive after each fight.
ReplyDeleteDanielle, I think the connection you made with, "Django unchained" and "Battle Royal" were perfect. It was complete sense and it was very unique. It is slightly different because in the movie that you picked, they didnt have a choice to fight or not. In the short story, they were fighting to receive the money. Although, in the short story and the movie, their are white men that are watching these boys hurt themselves for entertainment, it is disgusting. This comparison is very good, because in the movie and the short story, the white men had the power. Great job Danielle.
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