The title "Joe turner's Come & Gone symbolizes the American socialized system of oppression. Joe Turner is "the Man", Joe Turner is jail, and oppression. In this play, Herald Loomis has been detained by Joe Tuerner for seven years. Upon his release he searches to find his daughter and his wife while all along he has been searching for his inner self.
Bynum Walker is a "Rootworker", one who practices unconventional spiritual worship. He lives in the boarding house an tells a story of a shiny man who has the secrete of life. This secret that he refers to, the secret of life, symbliizes the meaning of all in existance and most impoprtantly the knowledge of self. Joe Turner, "the Man", "the system", and American society have stripped, robbed,and raped the African American of self. It is this quest for idenity that Herald Loomis searches for within himself. This same quest is also found in all of the other characters in the play as well. Those that come to the boarding house are unstable and have not found their true selves. Even Seth and Bertha, the owners of the house also quest for their idenity. They have a better financial system than the others, but they are stil timid when they encounter white America. Seth constantly states the rules of the boarding house. He proclaims to operate a clean, safe, and respectful house. He feels that any other behavior would call too much attention to him and his home. Resulting in white American society to take oppresive actions against his achievements.
Joe Turner's Come & Gone is an excellent concept that spiritually looks at the concept of knowing ones-self. August Willson's use of quest for idenity among all his characters allows the reader to unmistakenly find a connection with their own secret song to sing.

August Wilson, a Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright captures the essence of the African-American experience of slavery, migration, and the quest for an identity. These themes are part of the written slave narrative, from which the African-American literary tradition was born. In "Joe Turner's Come and Gone", Wilson brings the struggle of migration from the agricultural South to the Industrial North to light; set in the early 1900's when this great migration had just begun. The quest for self/an identity is one of the many scarring ramifications of slavery, and the result of namelessness. Wilson, is able to capture this central theme through religion, allegory, and music-Jazz/Blues. The quest for ones identity is rooted in the metaphorical use of the quest for a song. Songs mean different things for different people; they touch people in different ways. Why? Because each individual is unique, each individual has a song, an identity. With the historical culture of the African-American, and its connection to Music, this collaboration of rhythms and imagery proliferate the importance of this quest to life. Wilson, like Toni Morrison, offers his work as an illustration of the Blues Theory of Art-the idea that music has the ability to reach deep into the soul, and pull from it the raw feelings that may otherwise be unreachable. Music goes to the core of ones being, and helps the healing process. With Loomis, this was evident in the search for his song, his identity, it was all part of the restorative process, yet a consequence of America's greatest shame-Slavery. I must say that "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" in a wonderful way, using symbolism, folklore, and like Jazz, a non-written form of art, serves as an anchor and captures the heart of the African-American experience.

Wilson's play is set in the early 1920's in Pittsburgh. The play is about blacks migrating North and away from slave states towards better, or different opportunity. The action takes place in two acts at boarding house owned by Seth and his wife Bertha. The husband and wife duo have several guest who come and go each with a different story, or "song." The play has a jazz influence that makes the story line flow like a musical. Music and dance are the major form of communication for blacks and Wilson uses this mode of communication effectively throughout the play to bring his characters to life. Each person who encounters the boarding house of Seth and his wife are in search of their song, which is a synonym for their identity. The characters search for their song by trying to locate others through Selig, the people finder. The song symbolizes an identity that has been lost within years of slavery and continuing discrimination. The play shows us that a person's song is within and can never be found in the hands of someone else. Our song is inside of us. We are not to search for others or look for others to define ourselves. The search needs to begin within. This play was very magical in that it transformed music into a body. Two thumbs up!

This is a useful, informative and well-researched account of Wilson's creative process. While those looking for critical essays or critiques of Wilson's plays will find it a bit thin, that is neither the intent nor focus of the book. It is devoted to the process by which Wilson creates, sythesizes, molds and finishes (or avoids finishing) his works. A valuable guide to Ma Rainey, Fences, Jitney and Joe Turner, as well as Wilson's success on Broadway and beyond. With an update that includes Piano Lesson and Seven Guitars, this text could prove to be an indispensible guide for the dramatic scholar interested in Wilson's work, mentors and influence.

August Wilson's Jitney opened off-broadway in New York in the Spring of 2001. I saw the play 3 times within 3 weeks, and I took my father the last. It isn't about seeing a play. It's about experiencing and sharing hope.

Set in Pittsburgh, PA of the 1970's, the play centers around jitney/car service drivers as they try to let go of the past, and embrace future changes in themselves and their environment. They're decent, hard working middle-aged black men who are questioning their lives, wondering if they accomplished enough, made mistakes, or have been lead astray and are desparately trying to find a way to rectify themselves, even warn the angry young not to make the same mistakes.

The main story is about Becker, the owner of the Jitney and his relationship with his son Booster, who was recently released from a 20 year prison sentence for killing a rich white society girl after she falsely testified he was rapist. Becker has always been a pillar to his community, and he has never forgiven or understood his son's act. Booster, who could have been another Albert Einstein, was barely twenty when killed the girl. Because of changing times and laws, he was spared the death penalty, but not until after his mother dies of a broken heart, which is something Becker holds Booster responsible for. Will Becker forgive Booster? Is Booster sorry? What will become of Booster, a once promising scholar, who, it seems, has thrown the important years of his life away. Will Becker hold onto the Jitney or will it be demolished to make way for a mall or something similar. Will the young Vietnam Vet be able to close on the house that will make life better for his young family?

What I particularly liked about this play is that, right or wrong, the characters believably argue their convictions. It's as if the audience is deciding who's right. Events are never slanted. While there are a number of powerful scenes, the one that stands out for me is the reunion between Becker and Booster as Booster tries to justify why he killed the girl. The play is never preachy or slanted.

The play kept me and a packed audience on the edge of our seats, literally, up until and including the last word. Each time I went, the play was met with automatic standing ovation.

Whether you're an actor looking for something to sink your teeth in or a person that appreciates a skillfully action and character driven play, Jitney is worth reading. I went 3 times for the language and skillfully developed scenes.

August Mencken's The Railroad Passenger Car offers the reader a complete and superbly illustrated history of the railroad passenger car during the first hundred years of its invention and development. This unique and scholarly presentation is based upon meticulous historical research and is enhanced with personal accounts by contemporary passengers, as well as illustrations with period photographs and line drawings. The Railroad Passenger Car is very highly recommended reading for both the railroad buff and students of 19th century railroading history and development, including the sleeping car and dining car.

Let me mention that, i haven't finished reading the entire compilation yet. After reading the first part of this book I'm compelled to write something about it. This book is the real thing. A collection of true experiences from the true people. It talks about black masculinity and the American Dream from the hearts of some of the most well-known contemporary African American writers. One can enter the very personal cores of an African-American soul through these stories. The exact picture can be comprehended. I recommend it to people of all color but most definitely to the white folk. I hate to hear people saying, America is *one* now and African-Americans aren't disadvantaged anymore. You'll understand why America is still not a peaceful multi-racial zone. I will shut up here and let the book do the rest of the talking. Recommended.

This play shows how the rage caused by racism can be manifested in unusual ways. Each character, the blues singer and her band, has a different means of trying to gain control of a racist society hoping to, thereby, overcome it. The author's surprisingly humurous dialogue accentuates the story but, there is no mistaking the gravity of these characters's pain. Wilson's writing makes the play fast-paced and gives excellent insight to the histories of the individual characters. The use of blues lyrics and speech make them not just backdrops but characters, themselves. The abrupt ending seems a little forced, but the play is extremely entertaining.

I would welcome suggestions to the analysis of August Wilson's " Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at secondary school level. The book is too powerful but sometimes my students have difficulties in understanding its strenght.Sorry this is not a review, it's a cry of "Hellllp".

I am 41 years old. In my computer ages only go up to 12

August Wilson's play "Seven Guitars" had its Broadway premiere in 1996. The play follows seven African-American characters, both male and female, in Pittsburgh in 1948. The first scene opens after the funeral of one character, and the play then moves back in time to tell his story.

There is a lot of excellent material in this play. Wilson expertly weaves in songs, humor, one character's recipe for turnip greens, and a funny discourse on the difference between Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi roosters. One character, Floyd, is a talented musician, and his arc offers a perspective on African-American artistic aspiration.

Probably the most memorable character in the play is Hedley, a hardworking entrepreneur who is tormented by rage and lust. His dialogue is particularly rich, as he invokes Toussaint L'Ouverture, Marcus Garvey, and traditional African-American biblical interpretation. Overall, "Seven Guitars" is a frequently compelling play with well-written dialogue.

Although not quite on a par with "Fences" or "The Piano Lesson," Wilson's story of a blues musician and his companions in the late '40s is still a compelling read. As usual, he creates music in the language of his characters, all of whom are distinctly drawn.

"Seven Guitars" recounts the fate of a Pittsburgh blues musician, Floyd "Schoolboy" Barton, who scores a hit record in Chicago, but falls short of capitalizing on his success, either with his music, or with his on-again, off-again love, Vera. Along the way, we meet his musician friends, Canewell and Red, his crusty neighbor Louise, the seductive young visitor Ruby, and the mysterious Hedley, who orates on Marcus Garvey, Ethiopia and Buddy Bolden while he goes about his job butchering chickens for sale on the streets of Pittsburgh.

The play's vibrancy springs not only from the characters' plain-spoken poetry, but from Wilson's knowledge of blues, folk legends, superstitions and from his vivid recreation in print of a particular place: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which he has managed to turn into a place of literary myth.

As in "Fences" and in his play set in the '60s, "Two Trains Running" Wilson relies strongly on a character verging on and descending into madness. In "Seven Guitars," it's Hedley, and the way you feel about the play will be determined in part by your reaction to this character and how Wilson uses him. For me, Hedley's motivation was a bit too murky, and his most important act at the end of the play did not mesh well with the motivation Wilson developed for Floyd, the ambitious bluesman. Because of this problem, "Seven Guitars" lacks the powerful thematic punch of "Fences" and "The Piano Lesson."

Still, this play makes a fine addition to Wilson's dramatic cycle that explores African-American life through the twentieth century. The play confirms his place as one of the great voices in the American theater.

I'm a freshmen in high school and for a spring breakassignment,we could read any August Wilson play. I don't really know why I chose"The seven guitars", but I believe it was the cover. After reading Fences and enjoying it, I knew I would like it. I enjoyed all the characters in this novel and it was short and sweet, over all a great novel!

Fences,by August Wilson,is a great and strong play,which tries to teach it's audience about a poor African-American family that goes through a lot of changes while trying to achieve their dreams. In this play,Rose Maxson,a middle-aged woman who is a good mother and wife, tries to keep her family together,while dealing with Troy Maxson's faults and infidelity.She dedicated her life to Troy,but slowly everything changes everyone's life,especially Troy's surprise. I think one of the things that makes this play so dramatic is the way the people in the play lose trust in one another.It's really hard to forgive their faults. Even though they loved each other so much,one little mistake ruined it. I think this play was great.It talked about a lot of things that happen now in real life.Troy reminded me of my father,who is a hard-working and honest man.Rose relates a lot to my mother because she is very religious,a good mother,and also fears a future without my father.The lesson I learned was that you should never trust a person if you're not sure about their feelings towards you.Also,don't let problems get between your love ones.I enjoyed reading this two-act play.I learned a lot of important things about life.This is an intresting story.

"Fences", by August Wilson is a mixture of tradgedy and triumph. It shows how real life doesnt always go the way that you expect it to. In this play, cory the son of troy maxon has to get through many problems which are very common with teenagers in the sixities. His father Troy is too controlling of him in his opinion and troy thinks cory needs to take more responsibility. Along with that troy is having to deal with desires that could possibly ruin his family life as he knows it. What will troy do? Tell his wife about his secret or never tell anyone and live with his secret forever. I think that one good thing about this play is that it shows how real life isnt always as good as in the movies. It shows that you can get through a lot in life, no matter what. This play was better thatn i expected it to be. It was very realistic and anyone of any age could read and enjoy this book. I can relate to cory and how he wants to do many extra things other that school even though his father wants him to work and make money. I usually dont like to read books in school because they are boring but this book was actually interesting and kept me wanting to read on. It told you about society in the fifties with out boring you with facts.

"Fences", by august wilson is a mixture of tradgedy and triumph. It shows how real life doesnt always go the way that you expect it to. In this play, cory the son of troy maxon has to get through many problems which are very common with teenagers in the sixities. His father Troy is too controlling of him in his opinion and troy thinks cory needs to take more responsibility. Along with that troy is having to deal with desires that could possibly ruin his family life as he knows it. What will troy do? Tell his wife about his secret or never tell anyone and live with his secret forever. I think that one good thing about this play is that it shows how real life isnt always as good as in the movies. It shows that you can get through a lot in life, no matter what. This play was better thatn i expected it to be. It was very realistic and anyone of any age could read and enjoy this book. I can relate to cory and how he wants to do many extra things other that school even though his father wants him to work and make money. I usually dont like to read books in school because they are boring but this book was actually interesting and kept me wanting to read on. It told you about society in the fifties with out boring you with facts.

If you've read that famous, oft-anthologized short story, you'll get the idea of this play. The tapestry in that short story serves the same purpose as the piano in this one.

I enjoyed some passages in this play, especially the ones related to the importance of ownership of land as a step toward dignity and self-determination.

But - is it just me, or is August a little overrated?

(P.S. - I am white.)

August Wilson's subtly brilliant work examines the manner in which an African-American family copes with its past. The central character of the play--the piano--is a pictoral history of the family, carved by a woodcarving ancestor from the families slavery days. The fascinating confrontation between Berniece, who cherishes the piano, and Boy Willie, who wishes to sell the piano and use the profit to buy the land their family tilled as slaves, gives the reader a thought-provoking dilemma. Should one cling to the past or use it to make one's future?

Although it seems Berniece is right, there is something in Boy Willie's exuberant pursuit of the American dream that makes the reader respect and enjoy his character, despite his imperfections. Mr. Wilson succeeds in creating characters with virtues, flaws and noble goals with which we can relate.

Trumancaro@aol.com

This is a PLAY to be read aloud! The power and brilliance is not only in the theme but in the pacing and rhythm of the dialogue. The character of Boy Willie comes to life when his words are spoken. On the page, he "speaks" rapidly and, sometimes, in an exuberant jumble of passion, rage, and confusion -- as he tries to convince his sister to sell the family piano so he seek his dream. When spoken, Boy Willie is an exciting man, so caught up with his one chance for success, that his words just flow. August Wilson is my favorite playwrite, too. I heed the advice from one of my teachers. A play is NOT a play until read aloud. Take a risk! Even if you are alone, read The Piano Lesson aloud. You won't sound silly. Act out all the parts. Don't deny yourself this masterpiece!

I didn't see this in the official review, so I'm just going to put that it's a review in case that matters to you. I'm getting this for Summer reading and it's the shortest from the list :-p

The characters of Memphis and Hambone have nothing to hide is there search for what the white man owes them. Wilson may have over done it on the symbolism for some but I found it fascinating.

It is a story that can make you feel as if you are in the story actually seeing all the characters. It is written in slang and in a play but people can later on forget about it and really get into the story. It is a good book. I am reading it because of the mandatory summer school reading. This is one of the few books that I have read/enjoyed. I recommend it to everyone.