28 pages 56 minutes read

Suzan-Lori Parks

Topdog/Underdog

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 2001

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Essay Topics

1.

Topdog/Underdog was written in 2002; how does the play address issues of race in that particular moment? How would the play address those issues differently if it were to be revived in the current moment? What does the play say about race?

2.

Consider Lincoln’s descriptions of the customers who come to the arcade to shoot him. Using evidence from the text, analyze those customers. Who are they? Why might they be taking part in this reenactment?  

3.

Describe Lincoln and Booth’s relationship. Do you think that Lincoln is hustling his brother throughout the play? In your analysis, which of his actions are genuine and which are part of a hustle? What do you think Lincoln’s goal is throughout the play?

Related Titles

By Suzan-Lori Parks

Study Guide

logo

Father Comes Home From the Wars

Suzan-Lori Parks

Father Comes Home From the Wars

Suzan-Lori Parks

Plot Summary

logo

Imperceptible Mutabilities in the Third Kingdom

Suzan-Lori Parks

Imperceptible Mutabilities in the Third Kingdom

Suzan-Lori Parks

Study Guide

logo

The America Play

Suzan-Lori Parks

The America Play

Suzan-Lori Parks

Plot Summary

logo

The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World

Suzan-Lori Parks

The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World

Suzan-Lori Parks