Topics for Further Study

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Compose a brief monologue from the perspective of a member of Lincoln's crew. How does this crew member perceive the mark and the dealer? What are his insights? What role does he fulfill in the hustle? Is it critical for him to keep an eye on the cards at all times?

Investigate the history of blackface in America. What are its beginnings? Who were some of its most notable performers? Are elements of blackface still present in contemporary entertainment media?

Compile a list of famous individuals and the people who assassinated them. In some instances, the assassin, like John Wilkes Booth, becomes as infamous as the person they killed. Why does this happen?

Reflect on how set design impacts the audience's perception of the drama onstage. How would the audience's understanding of the relationship between Lincoln and Booth shift if the play were performed on a large stage versus a small, intimate space?

Cookie, Grace, and Mom are referenced in the play but never appear on stage. They are also missing from the lives of the play's two main characters. How does the absence of women in Topdog/Underdog highlight the brothers' emotional, sexual, and social states?

Identify the ways in which history influences the play. Is this sense of history broadly defined, or is it restricted to more personal interactions among the characters? Discuss your conclusions.

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