Student Question
Why does the narrator anticipate his speech despite being brutalized?
Quick answer:
The narrator anticipates his speech because it represents his humanity and dignity, which remain untouchable despite the brutality he faces. He believes that delivering the speech to the white men will validate his abilities, as he seeks their approval and acknowledgment. At this point, he does not yet respect the values of his own race and feels that only the judgment of white men matters, hoping to gain their respect by meeting their standards.
I would add that the speech is his means of expressing his humanity, something universal that racism and the violence of the boxing match cannot take away from him. It's what maintains his dignity, his sense of self-worth--that's why he readily offers Tadlock the prize money.
It's also worth pointing out that throughout the book the narrator looks to his speaking abilities to achieve some measure of contentment in life, but either no one is listening or they are abusing what he has to offer.
That is an excellent question. The answer isn't really easy. Why does anyone willingly suffer abuse? There are myriad answers to this question. Perhaps, like many abused/repressed people, Invisible Man is hoping that if he pleases the abuser(s) they will respect him. In the Battle Royal, when all the fighters are eliminated except IM and Tatlock, IM himself says:
"I wanted to deliver my...
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speech more than anything else in the world, because I felt that only these men could judge truly my ability."
This statement suggests that at this point in his life, IM does not respect the values of his own race. He is looking towards white men for validation. He thinks that only they (who are at that very moment abusing him and behaving like beasts) have the ability to judge him--and he desperately wants to meet their standards. At this point in his life, he feels that only white men count. And he knows he must accommodate them if he is to stay in their good graces. Of course all of this occurs before he becomes invisible.