Introduction
It is important to note that fate and free will are central themes in many works of literature. This includes Sophocles’ play Oedipus the King and Ralph Ellison’s short story “King of the Bingo Game.” These two works examine the delicate balance between fate, often perceived as predetermined and unavoidable, and free will, which is the ability of individuals to make choices that shape their lives.
The following analysis will primarily focus on the representation of the main characters in these two works and how they share a common theme of fate and free will. In Oedipus the King and “King of the Bingo Game,” Sophocles and Ellison explore the interplay between fate and free will as their main characters navigate their respective circumstances and grapple with their ability to control their destinies. Through their representations of Oedipus and the protagonist, both works reveal the complex and nuanced relationship between predetermined fate and individual agency, ultimately emphasizing the power dynamics that shape humans’ lives.
Brief Overview
To comprehensively analyze the theme of fate and free will, it is helpful to briefly overview the two stories. Oedipus the King is a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles, in which Oedipus, the king of Thebes, attempts to uncover the truth behind the death of the previous king. He ends up realizing a prophecy predicting his marriage to his mother and the murder of his father, leading to his downfall and tragic end (Meyer and Miller 83).
“King of the Bingo Game” is a short story by Ralph Ellison that tells the story of an African American man (Mambrol, par. 1). He attempts to win a bingo game in his quest for liberation from poverty and the restoration of dignity. Still, he faces challenges and racism along the way, leading to a dramatic and symbolic finale.
Oedipus and The Bingo King
Sophocles and Ellison represent their main characters in similar ways; Oedipus is portrayed as a victim of fate as he attempts to escape the destiny that foretells his marriage to his mother and the death of his father. Throughout the play, Oedipus comes to realize that his actions, such as questioning the blind prophet Tiresias, are the result of his own free will, ultimately leading to the fulfillment of his destiny. Sophocles writes: “the vilest things, brought on by choice and not by accident … but wherever my fate leads, just let it go” (37). This quote highlights Oedipus’s realization that fate and free will are intertwined and that his choices, although influenced by fate, are ultimately his own.
Similarly, the main character in “King of the Bingo Game” faces the interplay of fate and free will as well. Although he feels trapped in poverty and racism, he tries to take control of his life by participating in the bingo game. The outcome of the game is determined by chance, but his decision to play is an act of free will.
The final scene of the story shows the main character ultimately accepting the limitations of his fate and recognizing that his struggle for freedom and dignity is an ongoing battle. He states: “But they had it all fixed. Everything was fixed” (Ellison 124). This mirrors the idea in Oedipus the King that fate is predetermined, but individual choices and actions still hold significance and shape the outcome of one’s life. Both works challenge the traditional binary view of fate and free will, instead suggesting that the two are intertwined and influence each other in complex ways. Through their representations of fate and free will, both Sophocles and Ellison compel the audience to think about the role of individual agency and determinism in shaping our lives.
Control
In “King of the Bingo Game,” the protagonist believes that he can control his fate by winning the bingo game. He says, “I’ll show you how to win. I mean to show the whole world how it’s got to be done” (Ellison 474). Unlike Oedipus, the protagonist in “King of the Bingo Game” believes that he can change his fate and control his destiny through his own choices and actions. However, like Oedipus, the protagonist’s attempts to control his fate are ultimately futile, as his fate is ultimately determined by the bingo caller, who holds all the power in the game.
In both works, the protagonists attempt to take control of their own fate and exercise their free will to escape the limitations imposed upon them. While Oedipus tries to avoid fulfilling the prophecy of marrying his mother and killing his father, the protagonist in “King of the Bingo Game” tries to escape poverty and gain a sense of dignity by winning the bingo game. Ellison writes: “he knew even as it slipped out of him that his luck had run out” (477). Despite their efforts to control their destiny, both Oedipus and the protagonist in “King of the Bingo Game” eventually realize that their fate is ultimately beyond their control. In Oedipus the King, fate is represented by the prophecy and the will of the gods, while in “King of the Bingo Game,” the bingo caller represents fate and the chance of winning the game.
The works highlight the tension between the desire for agency and the limitations of fate as the protagonists struggle to reconcile their aspirations with the realities of their circumstances. Through these characters, both Sophocles and Ellison invite the audience to reflect on the human desire to control one’s destiny and the inevitability of fate. The themes of fate and free will are complex and nuanced, and both works demonstrate the interplay between these forces in shaping the characters’ lives. Ultimately, both Oedipus the King and “King of the Bingo Game” demonstrate that although individuals may have some control over their fate through their choices and actions, there are always larger forces at play that shape their destiny.
Third-Person Perspective
Both Oedipus the King and “King of the Bingo Game” are told from a limited third-person point of view, allowing the reader to see the thoughts and emotions of the main characters. This point of view is practical in exploring the theme of fate and free will because it allows the reader to understand the protagonists from an external perspective as they grapple with their fate and attempt to control it. By writing from this perspective, Sophocles and Ellison create a distanced connection between the reader and the characters, allowing the reader to fully comprehend the characters’ struggles with fate and their sense of free will.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Oedipus the King and “King of the Bingo Game” shed light on the enduring question of fate and free will, offering nuanced perspectives on the interaction between preordained fate and self-determination. Through their insightful portrayals of Oedipus and the protagonist, Sophocles and Ellison demonstrate how power dynamics play a crucial role in shaping our destinies, ultimately emphasizing the importance of considering both fate and free will in our understanding of life. Through their use of limited third-person narration, Sophocles and Ellison draw readers closer to the characters’ internal conflicts between fate and free will.
Work Cited
Ellison, Ralph. King of the Bingo Game. Shmoop University Inc., 2010.
Mambrol, Nasrullah. “Analysis of Ralph Ellison’s King of the Bingo Game.” Literary Theory and Criticism, 2021. Web.
Meyer, Michael, and Quentin D. Miller. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing. St. Martin’s, 2019.
Sophocles. Oedipus the King. 420 BCE.