If there is any problem areas in the story they come from the Grandfater. The Grandfather before he dies leaves some words that trouble the main character "our life is war and I have been a traitor all my born days, a spy in the enemy's country ever since I give up my gun back in the Reconstruction"(449). The Grandfater was described as being "a quite old man who never made any trouble"(449). This made things for the family difficult to understand, because they knew one way of life, and the view they always had of him changed in few sentences he spoke while lying on his deathbed. The grandfather goes on to say "Live with your head in the lion's mouth"(449). These words would haunt him because he does not understand them and he is highly confused by them. Although the narrator was confused by the words of his Grandfather I understand them to mean many different things. He has realized that there is a path to succeed in life, and now before he dies he realizes he did not take that path. He took the easy way out and did not stand up for what he wanted in life, he allowed the white society to rule over him without being seen or making himself "visible". The Grandfather wants to pass on this knowledge so his family can see the path and live life differently than he did. The main focus of the Grandfather's last words in my opinion were, there are goals in life that everyone can reach, only he believes it is easier for white society to reach those goals, but if you want anything bad enough you have to take the harder path and work for it. While being confused about his Grandfather's words, the main characther is able to succeed in the harder path. By partaking in this battle royal and fighting for what he believes in he is actually following his Grandfathers words without knowing it. .
The main focus of the battle royal was a prize of five to ten dollars, however, the main character's goals were different than the others.