By Howard Rambsy II The Battle Royal scene from Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man (1952) remains one of the most popular, frequently referenced scenes in African American literature. Ellison’s composition, initially published as a short story “Invisible Man” in 1947, was later retitled “Battle Royal.” The story later appeared as part of Ellison’s famous novel.   … The Battle Royal scene from Invisible Man

By Elizabeth Cali and Howard Rambsy II The reception and conversations around key scenes in black books reveal critical moments of imaginative collaboration between author and reader. It’s no wonder that the most defining and remarkable scenes in African American novels prompt readers to discuss what exactly happened and why. Key scenes drive the plot, … Key scenes