What is the significance of the advice given by the narrator's grandfather in "Battle Royal" by Ralph Ellison?

,
published as a short story and then as the first chapter in The ,
bypresents the main character, the unnamed young, black narrator. The story takes place in the
1930s in a town which is fully segregated. Told by the older narrator, he reminiscences about
his early life.

The initial incident in the story concerns the death of the s
grandfather.  On his death bed, the grandfather purports to being a spy in the white mans
world.  The old man explains that the life of the black man is a war to gain their
independence. He became whatever the white world wanted him to be.  It is unclear to whom he
feels he has betrayed:  his race, himself, or his family.

He advises his
children to maintain two identities: the bitter, resentful part of themselves and the
stereotypical model of the meek, subservient Negro.  From this model, his descendants can
protect their personal self-respect, yet internally despise the second-class
citizen...