Blonde Who Strips and Is Pursued by the Audience

Before the ten classmates engage in combat, they must confront a "magnificent blonde—stark naked." The white men ominously observe as the young men quake with fear, aware that in their era, a Black man showing sexual interest in a white woman could be lynched. The narrator objectifies the woman by likening her to a "kewpie doll" as he grapples with his conflicting emotions of desire and fear. As she dances, the white male audience becomes increasingly unruly, eventually lifting her above their heads. She finally escapes, and the "battle royal" commences.

Classmates at the Smoker

When the narrator arrives at the hotel, expecting to deliver his speech, he is grouped with nine classmates, all African American. The main attraction of the "Battle Royal" is a chaotic brawl among these ten young men, who are blindfolded. Apart from Tatlock, the story does not detail individual traits for this group. Generally, the narrator looks down on them, feeling superior to what he sees as a rowdy crowd.

Mr. Colcord

An audience member reeking of whiskey, Mr. Colcord attempts to push the narrator onto an electrified rug. The narrator not only resists but also tries to subtly topple Colcord onto the rug. In town, Colcord owns a chain of movie theaters and "entertainment places."

M.C.

An anonymous, faceless voice that directs the audience's focus from one event to another, inciting excitement. He is presumably white.

Narrator's Grandfather

A former slave who was freed approximately eighty-five years before the story unfolds. He and the narrator's grandmother led a quiet, diligent life, "stay[ing] in their place and working hard." The grandfather was considered "odd." On his deathbed, he imparts advice that haunts the narrator throughout the story. In his final moments, the grandfather confesses to feeling like a traitor and a spy in the "enemy's country." He regrets surrendering his gun during Reconstruction's early days. With his last breath, he advises his grandson to "overcome 'em with yeses, undermine 'em with grins, agree 'em to death and destruction, let 'em swallow you till they vomit or burst wide open," and to "Teach it to the young ones." Later, the narrator has a troubling dream about attending the circus with his grandfather.

The School Superintendent

After the narrator's speech, the superintendent steps forward to commend him, saying, "some day he'll lead his people in the proper paths." On behalf of the Board of Education, he awards the narrator a leather briefcase containing a scholarship to the "state college for Negroes." It is assumed that the superintendent has witnessed the entire battle royal.

Small Dry Mustached Man

The "small dry mustached man" is seated in the front row while the narrator delivers his speech. When the narrator mistakenly says "social equality" instead of "social responsibility," this man interrupts, intimidating the narrator and demanding a repetition of the statement. He ensures that the narrator clarifies it was merely a verbal slip, and once the narrator adopts a submissive stance, the man appears content.

Tatlock

Tatlock is the largest and most formidable of the narrator's classmates, whom the narrator is compelled to fight. Following an arrangement, the other fighters leave the ring, setting up a final confrontation between the narrator and Tatlock. As the audience wagers on the outcome, the narrator attempts to strike a deal with Tatlock, suggesting that Tatlock should take a dive. In exchange, the narrator offers Tatlock the winner's prize money plus an additional sum. To the narrator's shock, Tatlock disdainfully declines the offer. When the narrator questions Tatlock about whether he intends to thrash him for the entertainment of the white spectators, Tatlock retorts that he intends to beat him up "For me, sonofab—h."