# Topdog/Underdog (TCG Edition)
## Overview
- **Author:** Suzan-Lori Parks
- **Awards:** Winner of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
- **Theme:** A darkly comic fable exploring brotherly love, sibling rivalry, and family identity.
## Part I: Introduction to Lincoln and Booth
- **The Brothers**
- Lincoln: The older brother, named after the U.S. President.
- Booth: The younger brother, named after John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln’s assassin.
- **Their Names as a Joke**
- The brothers were given their names ironically by their father.
- This sets the stage for their lifelong sibling rivalry.
- **Family Background**
- Both brothers were abandoned by their parents at a young age.
- Struggles with identity and belonging are central themes.
## Part II: Daily Lives and Conflicts
- **Lincoln's Life**
- Works as an Abraham Lincoln impersonator in an arcade.
- His job involves reenacting his own namesake's assassination.
- Feels trapped in a dead-end job and haunted by his past.
- **Booth's Life**
- Dreams of becoming a successful three-card monte hustler.
- Practices the con game obsessively but lacks real-world success.
- Sees himself as more cunning and capable than Lincoln.
- **Sibling Dynamics**
- Constant tension between the two brothers over money, respect, and legacy.
- Each views the other through a lens of jealousy and resentment.
## Part III: Themes of History and Identity
- **Historical Irony**
- The historical significance of their names creates pressure on both men.
- Lincoln feels burdened by the weight of his name's legacy.
- Booth idolizes his namesake's infamy while misunderstanding its consequences.
- **Haunted by the Past**
- Flashbacks reveal memories of parental abandonment and neglect.
- These experiences shape their current struggles and insecurities.
- **Search for Self-Worth**
- Both brothers grapple with their identities outside of their names.
- They question whether they can escape the roles fate has assigned them.
## Part IV: Climax and Resolution
- **Tensions Escalate**
- Booth accuses Lincoln of stealing his girlfriend.
- Financial pressures intensify as Booth demands Lincoln teach him three-card monte.
- **The Final Confrontation**
- The brothers' rivalry reaches a breaking point during a tense card game.
- Violence erupts, leading to tragic consequences reminiscent of their namesakes.
- **Reflection on Fate**
- The play ends with a meditation on how history repeats itself within families.
- Questions linger about whether the brothers could have escaped their predetermined paths.
## Epilogue: Broader Implications
- **Commentary on Society**
- Explores systemic issues such as poverty, racism, and cycles of violence.
- **Legacy of Parks’ Work**
- Reflects Suzan-Lori Parks’ recurring themes of history, identity, and marginalization.
- Reinforces her reputation as one of America's most innovative playwrights.