In the play TopDog/ UnderDog by Suzan-Lori Parks, there are two prominant theatrical mirrors throughout the play. One being the mirror of Abe Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth compared to Lincoln and Booth the brothers. Another mirror is the game of Three Card Monte parallels the game of life.
The Three Card Monte is a game all about trickery, scamming, and lying. There is no way for a player to actually win the game, unless the dealer lets you have a win. Lincoln says, “It may look like you got a chance but the only time you pick right is when thuh man lets you” (Parks 1297). Similar to this card game, there is no real “win” in the game of life just when you think your ahead of the game, you fail. This was nothing new to Booth and Lincoln who live in a run down apartment together on very low income. The game of life hasn’t been particularly fair to them except when they are playing the game. Because for a moment, they are in charge of their lives.
The Lincoln assassination performance is similar to the card game in that he lets the marks win by letting them shoot him and let them “win” in the game of Abe Lincoln’s life. Lincoln says, “ its pretty dark. To keep thuh illusion of thuh whole thing... they all get so into it. I do my best for them” (Parks 1284). Lincoln lets the people think they have done the assassination in order to keep the game alive.
I like the concept that you brought up of "keeping the game alive." Considering both games are all about deceit, the power needed to control the mark or the shooter is incredibly high. I also never even thought about the fact that the only time Lincoln and Booth are "winning" at the game of life is when they are willing to play three-card monte. That's a great catch.
ReplyDeleteIt does appear as if most of their life is rigged. Links job and the three card game all has a predetermined out come.
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