America Play Interpretation

1 Pages 334 Words

The “whole” referred to in “The America Play” seems to embody definitive
moments in American History, such as the assassination of President
Lincoln.
Park focuses not on the celebrated figures of heroism, but those who
contributed to the shaping of the country, but have yet to receive
credit. The
digging of a “hole” represents the search for the history of
unrecognized
African-Americans. In Act I, the Foundling Father speaks of the “Lesser
Known”
who is compared to Abraham Lincoln and only receives recognition through
this
association. In trying to find his own voice, the Lesser Known becomes
an
imitation of Lincoln’s legend. The Foundling Father states that, “he
[The
Lesser Man] wanted to grow and have others think of him and remove their
hats
and touch their hearts and look up into the heavens and say something
about
the freeing of the slaves. That is, he wanted to make a great impression
as he
understood Mr. Lincoln to have made,” (Act I, 214). In search of his own
identity and recognition, the Lesser Man only lives out the events, and
even
death, of an already historically recognized figure. Lincoln’s death is
made
into a gruesome joke, and literally an amusement. No heroism is
associated
with the sufferers of slavery themselves, forcing the Lesser Man to gain
acknowledgment vicariously though an already established historical
figure.
.
A later generation also digs with the intent of uncovering a part of
African
American history that has been lost in the past. Lucy tells Brazil,
“Itssalways been important in my line to distinguish. Tuh know the
difference.
Not like you Fathuh. Your Fathuh became confused. His lonely death and
lack of
proper burial is our embarrassment. Go on: dig. Now me I need tuh know
thuh
real thing from thuh echo. Thuh truth from thuh hearsay,” (Act II, 21).
Lucy
seeks to find more than what is acknowledged American H...