August Wilson's play,

"The Janitor"

"The Janitor" is short story taking place in a hotel ballroom. In the story, the main character Sam is employed as a janitor at the hotel and is going through his normal routine of sweeping the ballroom floors when he comes across a sign for the next event to be held there. Though he is barely able to read, Sam is able to make out the words "National Conference on Youth"and, being an older man of fifty-six who has "approached life honestly, with both eyes open", he decides to step up to the lectern and deliver a speech as if the room were full, and he was the keynote speaker.

Read the excerpted monologue below. Then, consider the questions at the bottom of the page.

Exit Ticket: “The Janitor” by August Wilson

1. One of August Wilson’s goals as an artist was to “raise awareness about the African-American experience.” How do you feel that the monologue you’ve just read does this?

2. Sam’s insights and thoughts in his monologue portray him as an extraordinarily intelligent and thoughtful person. If Sam had not experienced oppression throughout his life, what do you imagine he might have been able to do or become?