Two Trains Running (Magill’s Choice: American Ethnic Writers)
At a glance:
- Author: August Wilson
- First Published: 1991
- Genres: Drama, Psychological drama
- Subjects: Justice, 1960’s, Gambling, Restaurants, bars, taverns, or pubs, Poverty or poor people, Inner cities or inner-city life, Death or dying, Preaching, Money, Funeral rites or ceremonies, Pittsburgh, Economic conditions, Consumers or consumer rights, Prophecy or prophets, Urban renewal
- Locales: Pittsburgh, PA
The Work
Memphis Lee’s small restaurant is the setting of August Wilson’s Two Trains Running. Risa, a young woman who has scarred her legs with a razor to deflect the sexual interest of men, is the restaurant’s cook and waitress. The rest of the African American cast are male and include, among others, Sterling, an unemployed young man recently released from prison; Holloway, a retired house painter; and Hambone, who is mentally retarded.
The gossip, debates, philosophizing, and storytelling that take place in Memphis’ restaurant reflect the oral tradition...
[The entire page is 919 words long]
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