A Soldier's Play

Summary:

A black soldier has been discovered dead just outside of Fort Neal, a segregated army camp in Louisiana in 1944. At first, the shooting is attributed to the ever-present KKK. Then it is blamed on racist white soldiers. Finally, it is placed on a black officer who despises black men who, in his view, perpetuate the stereotype of being lazy and uneducated.

Thoughts:

Fuller's character list is merely a straightforward list of names, without any description indicating the age or race of any of these characters. For me, this made reading the play somewhat confusing at times as I was attempting to trace the race relations without being certain which characters were white and which were black. After completing the play, I am confident that this was a deliberate choice by Fuller. Clearly, if one were watching the play, this would not be a problem. However, the omission of these details necessitates a more meticulous reading of the text. This, in turn, leads to greater attention being paid to the nuanced relationships and dialogue of Fuller's characters.

I read this for my class and I was truly captivated.

The author's masterful use of lighting and flashback throughout the play added a layer of depth and intrigue that was simply remarkable.

This play delves into the complex issue of avoiding stereotypes within the black community during a time when social progress seemed more attainable after WWII.

The contrasting attitudes of Sargent Waters, Peterson, and CJ were not only thought-provoking but also served to highlight the different perspectives and solutions within the community.

I was particularly drawn to the mystery element of the play, which kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

The surprise ending was a pleasant twist that added to the overall enjoyment of the read.

It's no wonder that this play was later made into a movie starring the talented Denzel Washington (who also appeared in the original play, along with Samuel L Jackson).

The playwright's adaptation of the play into a movie, titled A Soldier's Story, further solidified its impact and popularity.

Overall, this was a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in exploring the themes of race, identity, and social change.

A Soldier's Play is a captivating and thought-provoking work that delves into a mystery. It centers around the murder of Sergeant Waters, who was tragically shot twice by an unidentified man.

Captain Davenport is dispatched to conduct the investigation, which immediately ignites controversy within the tight-knit community. The question on everyone's lips is why a black lawyer has been chosen to look into a murder at an army base.

This play serves as a powerful showcase of the numerous racial conflicts that were prevalent during that era. It presents a complex and often uncomfortable exploration of the deep-seated prejudices and tensions that existed.

While I found it to be a challenging read at times, I firmly believe it was well worth the effort. It offers valuable insights into a dark chapter of history and forces us to confront the uncomfortable truths about race and discrimination.

Reading this play, rather than seeing it performed, had a profound impact. The inability to distinguish who was black and who was white, which is a crucial aspect of the play, added a layer of significance. It made me realize that something as simple as the visual cue of skin color could completely alter the perception of the events unfolding. This realization was truly heart-breaking. It made me question the role of race in our society and how easily our judgments and interpretations can be influenced by external factors. The play forces us to look beyond the surface and consider the deeper implications of our actions and beliefs. It serves as a powerful reminder that we should strive to see people for who they are, rather than making assumptions based on their appearance.

This play truly holds a profound truth about the hate that one can harbor for his own kind.

“Waters: Not havin' ain't no excuse for not gettin.” This line shows Waters' determination and perhaps a sense of entitlement.

“Waters: We're men. Soldiers. And I don't intend for our race to be cheated of its place of honor and respect in this war because of fools like C.J.” Here, Waters is expressing his pride and his desire for his race to be treated fairly.

“The worst thing you can do, in this part of the country, is pay too much attention to the death of a negro under mysterious circumstances.” - Colonel Nivens. This statement reveals the racial prejudices and the cover-up that exists.

“- Private First Class Peterson: I didn't kill much. Some things need gettin' rid of. Man like Waters never did nobody no good anyway, Captain.” Peterson's words show his callousness and his lack of understanding.

“- Captain Davenport: Who gave you the right to judge? To decide who is fit to be a negro, and who is not? Who?” Captain Davenport's questions challenge the status quo and the discriminatory attitudes.

#colorism #uncletom

This is an excellent play by Charles Fuller that delves deep into the themes of race, prejudice, and identity. It makes us think about the inequalities that still exist in our society and the need for change.

I made the decision to read this play in its entirety. The reason behind my choice was that I was planning to incorporate a performance of the play into a script that I am currently writing. The play itself is truly great, which made the research process a rather pleasant one for me.

Generally speaking, I tend to have less interest in artworks that deal with race relations. More often than not, I find them to be too corny, overly preachy, or just too obvious. However, this time around, I had no such reservations. This play is really good stuff and it definitely deserves the Pulitzer Prize that it won. It offers a fresh and engaging perspective on race relations, without falling into the common pitfalls that I usually associate with this genre.

I am looking forward to seeing how I can bring this play to life in my script and share its powerful message with a wider audience.

Excellent.

Did you also see the movie based on the play?

Denzel, Adolph Caesar (who received an Oscar nomination for this role), and Larry Riley played the same roles they played in the stage version.

However, Samuel L. Jackson, who played Henson on stage, was replaced in the movie.

This substitution might have brought some changes to the overall presentation and interpretation of the character.

Perhaps the filmmakers had different ideas or considerations when choosing the actor for the movie adaptation.

It would be interesting to compare and contrast the two versions to see how the different actors brought the character of Henson to life.

Overall, both the stage play and the movie based on it offer unique perspectives and interpretations of the story.

Whether you prefer the stage version or the movie, they both have their own merits and can be enjoyed for different reasons.

On the front cover, in the middle, you can see a young Denzel Washington. He played the role of Peterson in the first run of this play. Samuel L Jackson took on the part of Henson, although I'm not certain if he's featured on the cover. This play has an element of a murder mystery. However, I think that an audience member can have an idea of the resolution in advance. Some plays don't hold up well over time, but this one had a successful revival in 2020, which unfortunately was cut short by COVID. I have a strong desire to see this play being performed live. Additionally, I would love to attend a conversation about it. It would be fascinating to hear different perspectives and interpretations of the play from both the actors and the audience.