Similarities Between The Birthmark And Battle Royale

Despite the increase in awareness against discrimination, racism has proved to be a challenge in most developed and developing countries. Racism is a form of discrimination where a person is unfairly treated due to his or her skin color. Discrimination based on the outward appearance of a person can also be defined as a halo effect in relation to the personality of a person. In the short stories, “The Birthmark” and “Battle Royale” discrimination based on the outside appearance of characters is significant.

Battle Royal starts with a narration from about a person who seeks to define himself by seeking answers from other people. The narrator realizes earlier that it is only himself who has the power to control his destiny in discovering his

past. The story talks about blind men who besides the narrator, are described as those that discriminate against him. The narrator seeks to gather information about his life and that of his grandparents who are recorded as ex-slaves eighty five years from the time of narration (Ellison, 1995). The narrator who is the main character in the story, is affected by this freedom which rhetorically kept African-American and the whites in United States separate just like fingers on the hand are.
The Birthmark story talks of a brilliant scientific named Aylmer and is the main character in the story (Hawthorne, 1959). Aylmer gets married to a beautiful wife by the name Georgiana who he abandons his work in order he can get married. Georgiana happens to have a curious birthmark which most men confessed made her more beautiful but envious women perceived it quite differently. Aylmer at one point asks his wife if she ever thought of getting rid of the birthmark. In addition, Aylmer found the birthmark to be the only flaw in his wife`s stunning beauty.
The story develops after, Georgiana realized that her husband was serious with his question. Having in mind that Aylmer was a brilliant scientist, she knew that if it was possible that he could work to find a solution to the mark. This point brings us to the history behind the existence of the birthmark. Georgiana in an attempt to answer or in the case to give explanations to the reasons she would not have the birthmark removed; she discloses the discrimination that she experiences because of the mark. Georgiana, is disappointed with her husband who terms the mark as shocking. Georgiana also confesses that in the past, she has received comments about the mark from people who termed it as charm.
In Battle Royal, the narrator finds some information from his grandfather who is described as a very hardworking man. The grandfather passes this information on his deathbed, the narrator however finds the information to be disturbing tough it is termed as an advice. The information contradicts the old man`s reputation as a hardworking man living conventional life by depicting him as one who is dangerous and could cause trouble.
The narrator who clearly is a black man is haunted by the final words of his Grandfather throughout the story. The narrator is impressed by the fact that he finds favor in the eyes of the white. The reason behind the disguise in the narrators name and one reason why we never get to know him is because of the theme “Invisible Man’. This is the main title of the novel and as symbolic as it is, the author intentionally refuses to expose the narrators name for the story to complement the title.
Georgiana is depicted as a woman who with high esteem in that although she receives mixed reaction about a mark on her cheek, she lets none of that into her (Montgomery, 2006). However, her husband Aylmer who is a scientist and philosopher is disgusted by the mark. Aylmer justifies his actions by describing the mark as being symbolic of mortality and is determined to let the mark disappear.
Georgiana is hurt by her husband`s sentiments to an extent that she cries which reminds her of her past.

Aminadab comes into the limelight when the mark on Georgiana`s face starts to fade through his hoarse chuckle which was familiar to Aylmer. Aminadab is also described as Aylmer`s servant, he is however not mentioned anymore in the story except in the end after the death of Aylmer when his chuckle comes again. He is also depicted as being strong, grubby and is very active though he is also depicted as being disgusted by Aylmer`s obsession about the birthmark on Georgiana`s cheek.

The point of view employed in both stories plays a major role in helping us interpret the message in the stories. In Battle Royal, first person point of view is employed which allows us to get insights about the narrators early life and his mission in the story. This point of view is employed to give the viewer`s information on the feelings of the narrator, his opinions as well as influence the reader`s opinion about the story. If this point of view was to change, then the story would change as well as it would be hard to get the feelings that the narrator

uses.
Contrary to the point of view in “Battle Royal”, “The Birthmark” employs third person point of view. This direction symbolically explains the concept behind the controversial crimson hand. The point of view in this story also brings out the theme that while man can destroy he has no power to create. The third person omniscient point of view that the story embraces enables the author to effectively explain the characters. The author is able to critically express the character`s feelings, opinions and thoughts which adds insights into understanding the text. The point of view also enables the author deliver information and eliminate bias.
Battle Royal is full of symbolism in many different ways but most significantly, the story is symbolic of the struggle that the African-Americans had to go through in the struggle for independence.

The hardships that the narrators experiences in delivering his speech, symbolizes the hardships that the blacks went through. The naked blonde who danced in front of men before the fight is symbolic of other side of women who were viewed as the minority. The colors of the American flag painted on the woman`s body signified that the whites controlled the blacks. The circus in the young man`s dream at the end of the story symbolizes that the black boys in the dream are treated as

animals.
Georgiana`s birthmark is used to symbolize mortality. It is used significantly by the narrator to indicate that nature is flawed in some way and as a reminder that everything must eventually die. The mark also marks Georgiana as mortal and flaws her beauty as the only blemish on the otherwise perfect skin (Hawthorne, 1959). Aylmer perception about the birthmark is that, since her skin is perfect, any mark on it is shocking. Alchemy means everything to Aylmer in that he feels he can fix everything that is not perfect which he compromises over his love.
Battle Royal is made up of the themes of discrimination, racism and anger. The author, Ralph Ellison who wrote the story is trying to express his opinion on social issues which are very important but are regularly ignored. The Birthmark portrays the themes of love, guilt and science which covers the life of Aylmer and Georgiana. The author is addressing the social conflicts in marriage which is common in most families.
Fear in Battle royal is evident in the African-American`s fear of not conducting themselves in the way the whites expects of them. The fear is an example of discrimination tool that people live in fear in their own country. Georgiana overcomes her fears as a woman and faces her husband who is in a contradicting view of the birthmark on her face. Despite the increase in the awareness against discrimination, racism still remains as a challenge to most developing and developed countries.