Possibly the most exciting achievement in August Wilson’s career is his creation of the Century Cycle. It is a series of ten plays that illustrates the African American experience in the twentieth century. Each play is set in a different decade as they give realistic encounters of the various events that happens in that particular decade. The cycle isn’t a serial story but there are repeated appearances of characters at different stages of their life. However, many have pointed out Wilson’s lack of female characterization in his plays. Specifically, in the Century Cycle, you would typically see two, possibly three, women in each play. In Wilson’s Century Cycle we will explore some of the roles of these women by identifying the classic stereotypical
…show more content…
Wilson was forced to leave home and experienced hard times trying to survive in the streets of Pittsburgh. However, his experiences and struggles would shape him to become the legendary writer we know him as today. During this time, he purchased a cheap record player. Wilson became inspired listening to Bessie Smith and discovered the blues, which would become his artistic release. Music would become the structural backbone of his work. In 1969, Wilson married Brenda Burton, a Muslim woman. He would convert to Islam, joining the Nation of Islam, to solidify their marriage. In 1972, they would divorce, partly because Wilson could not adhere to his wife’s Muslim beliefs. Afterwards Wilson joins the Black Arts Movement, founded by Amiri Baraka. That opportunity opened doors for him begin playwriting for the Black Horizon Theater, which he co-founded in the Hill District. As time progressed Wilson began to write a number of plays: Recycle, his first play, The Coldest Day of the Year, Jitney, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, known as The Homecoming in its early stages. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom would be written after Jitney but would be produced after it. Ultimately, this will spark the idea of a historical cycle. However, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone established his goal to depict the influence of African roots on African
Wilson was forced to leave home and experienced hard times trying to survive in the streets of Pittsburgh. However, his experiences and struggles would shape him to become the legendary writer we know him as today. During this time, he purchased a cheap record player. Wilson became inspired listening to Bessie Smith and discovered the blues, which would become his artistic release. Music would become the structural backbone of his work. In 1969, Wilson married Brenda Burton, a Muslim woman. He would convert to Islam, joining the Nation of Islam, to solidify their marriage. In 1972, they would divorce, partly because Wilson could not adhere to his wife’s Muslim beliefs. Afterwards Wilson joins the Black Arts Movement, founded by Amiri Baraka. That opportunity opened doors for him begin playwriting for the Black Horizon Theater, which he co-founded in the Hill District. As time progressed Wilson began to write a number of plays: Recycle, his first play, The Coldest Day of the Year, Jitney, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, known as The Homecoming in its early stages. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom would be written after Jitney but would be produced after it. Ultimately, this will spark the idea of a historical cycle. However, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone established his goal to depict the influence of African roots on African