What is the overall meaning of "Battle Royal" as a story?

The
opening battle in the novel The is extremely significant, as it sets up
the thematic setting of the rest of the story. The main character is persecuted, punished, and
oppressed in a racist system in spite of his obvious intelligence and skill. In this
introductory battle, he is shown being given tantalizing opportunities or temptations (such as
the naked white women or the apparent gold coins) which are stripped from him and he is punished
for even pursuing (by fighting in the ring or electrocution upon picking up the coins, which
turn out to be brass and worthless).

This sets up the ideas of racism and
oppression that he will experience and combat throughout the book. Opportunity is presented
before him, only for him to be punished and turned away many times for even thinking of pursuing
it because of his race. He is belittled and taunted and eventually becomes just what was forced
upon him, fighting and scraping for scraps and small opportunities that are much
less...