America Play Interpretation

            The "whole" referred to in "The America Play" seems to embody definitive.
             moments in American History, such as the assassination of President.
             Lincoln.
             Park focuses not on the celebrated figures of heroism, but those who.
             contributed to the shaping of the country, but have yet to receive.
             credit. The.
             digging of a "hole" represents the search for the history of.
             unrecognized.
             African-Americans. In Act I, the Foundling Father speaks of the "Lesser.
             Known".
             who is compared to Abraham Lincoln and only receives recognition through.
             this.
             association. In trying to find his own voice, the Lesser Known becomes.
             an.
             imitation of Lincoln's legend. The Foundling Father states that, "he.
             [The.
             Lesser Man] wanted to grow and have others think of him and remove their.
             hats.
             and touch their hearts and look up into the heavens and say something.
             about.
             the freeing of the slaves. That is, he wanted to make a great impression.
             as he.
             understood Mr. Lincoln to have made," (Act I, 214). In search of his own.
             identity and recognition, the Lesser Man only lives out the events, and.
             even.
             death, of an already historically recognized figure. Lincoln's death is.
             made.
             into a gruesome joke, and literally an amusement. No heroism is.
             associated.
             with the sufferers of slavery themselves, forcing the Lesser Man to gain.
             acknowledgment vicariously though an already established historical.
             figure.
             .
             A later generation also digs with the intent of uncovering a part of.
             African.
             American history that has been lost in the past. Lucy tells Brazil,.
             "Itssalways been important in my line to distinguish. Tuh know the.
             difference.
             Not like you Fathuh. Your Fathuh became confused. His lonely death and.
             lack of.
             proper burial is our embarrassment. Go on: dig. Now me I need tuh know.
             thuh.
             real thing from thuh echo. Thuh truth from thuh hearsay," (Act II, 21).
             Lucy.
             seeks to find more than what is acknowledged American History. She sees.
             her.
             fore-father's submittal as disgraceful disregard to African American.