Why does Ellison makes numerous references to the circus List some of those references and speculate as to why he continually returned to this metaphor?

Ellison uses the circus as a metaphor to depict the absurdity and exploitation of race relations in America. By likening the protagonist's experiences to a circus, he highlights the spectacle and dehumanization that black people faced in society. Some references include the battle royal scene where the narrator is made to fight blindfolded, symbolizing his lack of agency and control. The circus theme recurs to underscore the performative nature of race relations and how African Americans were made to entertain and amuse white audiences.