"The America Play" Blog, featuring "Essays"

Suzan-Lori Parks, born May 10, 1963, is an African American playwright and screenwriter. Her works have been produced by Actors Theatre of Louisville, American Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, The Public Theatre and Yale Repertory, among many others. She wrote her first feature-length screenplay for Spike Lee and his company, 40 Acres and a Mule. She won the 1990 Obie Award for Best New American Play and the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play, Topdog/Underdog. The America Play (the opening scene of which inspired Topdog/Underdog) is a two-act play which premiered at the Yale Repertory Theater in January 1994. Some consider it difficult to understand because, as with most of Suzan-Lori Parks' writings, it is anything but straightforward.

The America Play, featuring Essays Discussion Questions

1. First off, Imma need you to read Parks' essays before you read The America Play, so that you'll be able to understand it better. Besides helping readers to understand her writings better, there were many points that Parks brought to light about theatre, Rep & Rev, action in the line, ". . . Black People Onstage," etc. What were some points that "spoke" to you?

2. What's the significance of the John Locke quote in the beginning?

3. I remember the first time I heard Neal reading from this piece. I pictured it being located in the desert or this old, western town, and the Foundling Father's set-up was located in this worn-out boudoir (Word from "The Electronic Nigger") or saloon. Although Parks doesn't give us a specific location (or a "realistic" location), where did you picture all the action taking place?

4. What do the "big holes" and graves represent, and I'm not just talking about "The Great Hole of History?"

5. What's the underlining message, in your opinion, of the following "Reps & Revs?"

"A slight deafness in this ear . . . there are no side effects . . . only a little ringing in the ears" and "Emergency, oh Emergency, please put the Great Man in the ground."

6. "I think I'll wear the yellow beard. Variety. Works like uh tonic. Some inaccuracies are good for business. Take the stovepipe hat! Never really worn indoors but people dont like their Lincoln hatless." When reading The America Play, do you find yourself questioning certain facts from history and wondering if they've been created from the imagination of someone?

7. I feel like the Foundling Father was trying to say that the Great Man should be following the lead of the Lesser Known (I guess because of his origins), and, even though they both have the same stature and looks ("taking into account of course his natural God-given limitations"), the Lesser Known believes that the Great(er) Man is as his name says. The Lesser Known tries to follow in the Great Man's footsteps instead of creating his own. What are these lines saying to you?

"And the Great Mans deeds had transpired during the life of the Great Man somewhere in past-land that is somewhere "back there" and all this while the Lesser Known digging his holes bearing the burden of his resemblance all the while trying somehow to equal the Great Man in stature, word and deed going forward with his lesser life trying somehow to follow in the Great Mans footsteps footsteps that were of course behind him. The Lesser Known trying somehow to catch up to the Great Man all this while and maybe running too fast in the wrong direction. Which is to say that maybe the Great Man had to catch him. Hhhh. Ridiculous."