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Jitney Play Broadway Tie-In Edition: A Powerful Examination of Race, Class, and the American Dream

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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August Wilson's Jitney is a powerful and moving play about race, class, and the American dream. Set in a Pittsburgh jitney station in the 1970s, the play follows the lives of a group of African American men who are struggling to make a living and find their place in a society that is often hostile to them.

Jitney: A Play - Broadway Tie-In Edition

by August Wilson

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3244 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	127 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

The play's title refers to the jitneys, or unlicensed taxis, that the men drive. Jitneys were a common form of transportation for African Americans in the early 20th century, and they provided a vital service for communities that were often underserved by public transportation. However, jitneys were also often seen as a threat by the authorities, and they were frequently harassed and shut down.

The men in Jitney are all struggling to make a living, but they are also struggling to find their place in a society that is often hostile to them. They are constantly being reminded of their race, and they are often treated with disrespect and discrimination. However, the men in Jitney are also proud and determined, and they refuse to give up on their dreams.

Jitney is a powerful and moving play about the struggles and triumphs of African Americans in the 20th century. It is a play that will stay with you long after you see it.

The Characters in Jitney

The characters in Jitney are all complex and well-developed. They are all struggling with their own personal demons, but they are also all connected by their shared experiences of race and class.

Becker is the owner of the jitney station. He is a hard-working man who is trying to provide a better life for his family. However, he is also struggling with his own demons, including a gambling addiction.
Turnbo is a driver who is trying to start a new life after being released from prison. He is a talented mechanic, but he is also struggling to overcome his past.
Youngblood is a young man who is trying to find his place in the world. He is full of energy and ambition, but he is also naive and impulsive.
Shealy is a driver who is struggling with his sexuality. He is a closeted gay man, and he is afraid of what will happen if his secret is discovered.
Doub is a driver who is struggling with his faith. He is a devout Christian, but he is also questioning his beliefs after witnessing the injustices of the world.

The Themes in Jitney

Jitney explores a number of important themes, including:

Race: Jitney is a play about the experiences of African Americans in the 20th century. The play explores the ways in which race shapes the lives of the characters, and it challenges the stereotypes that are often associated with African Americans.
Class: Jitney is also a play about class. The play explores the ways in which class shapes the lives of the characters, and it challenges the idea that the American dream is available to everyone.
The American Dream: Jitney is a play about the American dream. The play explores the ways in which the American dream is both a promise and a lie, and it challenges the idea that everyone can achieve success if they work hard enough.

The Importance of Jitney

Jitney is an important play because it tells the stories of a group of people who are often overlooked and marginalized. The play gives voice to the experiences of African Americans in the 20th century, and it challenges the stereotypes that are often associated with them. Jitney is a powerful and moving play that will stay with you long after you see it.

Jitney: A Play - Broadway Tie-In Edition

by August Wilson

4.8 out of 5