Fences & Topdog/Underdog

The course of dramatic literature reveals truths of the human condition. Drama is a study of human nature, its tendencies and reactions, its inner-most thoughts. Every play chooses as its theme various facets of humanity to study in various contexts, and some explore multiple ideas, indeed, the more, the richer the play. Take, for example, Fences by August Wilson, and Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks, each of which deals with the central theme of how people's hopes and dreams affect the way they live and the people they become. The theme of hopes and dreams that runs through these two plays dictates the life-progress of brothers Lincoln and Booth in Topdog/Underdog, and also of Troy and his son Cory in Fences.

In Topdog/Underdog, Suzan-Lori Parks seems to criticize the human need to have dreams by showing the negative effect these dreams have on the characters who hold them....
[ View Full Essay]