Ralph Ellison uses symbolism in the first chapter of The Invisible Man to illustrate the culture in which he lived and grew up. In the chapter, titled “Battle Royal,” Ellison plans to give his graduation speech to the white elite of his community. However, before she can deliver the speech, he is forced to perform humiliating tasks. The use of symbols is evident throughout "Battle Royale", particularly with regards to the imagery of Hell, the power struggle and the circus metaphor. The setting of the chapter is significantly symbolic. The story takes place in a luxurious ballroom, which Ellison has masterfully transformed into Hell. This is the smoker. The men in the audience “smoke black cigars” (1255). The room was “foggy with cigar smoke” even though the room is described as large and has a high ceiling (1255). The narrator also gives these men animalistic qualities that essentially reveal them to be savages. They are seen “devouring food” (1254). Later, they "run laughing and howling after [the dancing woman]" (1257). Although a much less ravenous image, the narrator even compares the old pervert to a drunken panda. The narrator also describes them as having “red faces” (1259). In this characterization 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 fit of blind terror.” (1257). By the time the fight begins, he adds, “[the] smoke had become thicker and with each new blow it seemed to burn and constrict my lungs further. My saliva became like hot, bitter glue.” (1258).The men demonstrate their authority over him and his classmates. A prime example of this is the dancing woman. The ten fighters were positioned in front of the ballroom. Then the woman was exposed, all eyes were on her. She was completely naked except for her makeup and the American flag tattoo. Her face was "heavily powdered and rouged... [her] eyes blank and stained a cold blue." (1256). It represents America, and therefore freedom. The men in the audience, even though they are as fixated as the fighters, have more control. In their society, they can look at a white woman. The fighters, however, are black and therefore would have to suppress all thoughts of her so as not to be killed. This performance also serves to rob them of some of their masculinity.