Topics for Further Study
Investigate the origins of the phrase "speed the plow" and examine how its significance connects with the themes in Mamet's play.
Analyze and contrast Speed-the-Plow with Mamet's two other "business" plays, American Buffalo and Glengarry Glen Ross. What insights do these plays provide about male relationships and friendships?
Compare Karen in Speed-the-Plow to Carol, the young female student in Mamet's Oleanna. Both characters present themselves as naive young women, yet they are not truthful about their identities. Delve into the psychological ramifications of their behaviors.
Examine the concept of "the culture of success," a dominant cultural force in the United States during the 1980s, particularly in Hollywood. How does this cultural idea influence the actions of each character in the play?
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