Both Ellison and Poe make use of foreshadowing to add suspense and dimension to their stories. Ellison uses foreshadowing when he mentions, through the thought of the Sambo, the main character, the "Battle Royal" that he will have to fight in during later parts of the story. The author also hints constantly that Sambo will become an activist for Black’s right and thus follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. When the grandpa says, “Learn it to the younguns” (Ellison148) he his foreshadowing that the “younguns”, in this case, Sambo, will be taught that his grandfather fought for and will do the same. Another instance where Ellison insinuates that Sambo will do as his grandfather did was when he reflects on the last words of his grandfather and prepares himself to ma

ke a speech on social equality at the upcoming “Battle Royal”:

“I stumbled about like a baby or a drunken man. The smoke had become thicker and with each new blow it seemed to sear and further restrict my lungs. My saliva became like hot glue. A glove connected with my head, filling my mouth with warm blood. It was everywhere. I could not tell if the moisture I felt upon my body was sweat or blood. A blow landed hard against the nape of my neck.” (Ellison 153)

Another difference in the writings of Edgar Allan Poe and Ralph Ellison is that although both writers are highly accredited, Ellison uses innumerable similes, whereas Poe uses none. Ellison uses an almost excessive amount of similes to describe mostly the physical appearances of objects or events. On a single page of "Battle Royal", Ellison uses six similes to describe physical appearances: “ . . . tossed her as college boys are tossed . . .”, “ . . . almost like my own terror . . .” , “ . . . word was as bright as flame . . .”, “ . . . as though to squeeze . . .”, and “ . . . as though he might crunch . . .”. While Ellison does use similes quite frequently, they all add specific details to the scene that allow the author to paint a picture of the scene he is trying to create for the reader; they allow the reader to connect with the feelings of the main character and feel almost as if he is the main character. In contrast, in "The Cask of Amontillado" Poe uses no similes, but still creates vivid pictures in the reader’s head and allows him to relate to the main character. Although both authors are able to illustrate scenes that the reader can connect with, Poe uses no similes while Ellison uses them almost in excess.

“ . . . When I was praised fro my conduct I felt a guilt that in some way I was doing something that was really against the wishes of the white folks, that if they had understood they would have desired me to act just the opposite, that I should have been sulky and mean, and that that really would have been what they wanted . . . everyone praised me and I was invited to give the speech at a gathering of the town’s le

Some topics in this essay:
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