Character Analysis

It is noteworthy that Wilson named the character for Memphis (presumably for Memphis, Tennessee) when he is originally from Jackson, Mississippi and no reference to Memphis is made in the entire play.

Memphis was particularly noteworthy during this time in relation to the Civil Rights Movement in that Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. Despite the social landscape of the play being greatly impacted by the assassination that occurred less than a year before (April 4, 1968), there is only one mention of Dr. King in the entire play, which is (perhaps intentionally) mentioned by Memphis.

Memphis also uses similar language when describing his personal bout of terror in Jackson and the assassination of Dr. King:

• "They killed Martin. If they did that to him you can imagine what they do to me or you. If they kill the sheep you know what they do to the wolf." - Memphis, pg 39
• "I say, 'Okay. I know the rules now. If you do that to something that ain't never done nothing to you...then I know what you would do to me.'" - Memphis, pg 66

The possible parallel above may be equating Memphis's character as well as personal struggle and tremendous loss to that of society as a whole and all black Americans.

A famous black American featured prominently in Memphis's history is Tom Park Lee, which is another potential touchstone, as Memphis's last name is mentioned specifically to be Lee.

According to the city's destination website, "This riverside park serves as home of the Memphis in May International Festival and is named for Memphis’ greatest hero. In 1925, with the help of his tiny rowboat, local African-American resident Tom Lee (who could not swim) braved the Mississippi’s swirling currents to save 32 strangers from drowning when their excursion steamer sank. A statue at the center of the park pays tribute to Lee’s heroic efforts."

More literally, the name Memphis has a Biblical origin, meaning: "Abode of the good."

Memphis's repeated ultimatum that he will not accept less than $25,000 for the diner seems to be foiled by Hambone's demand for his ham from Lutz.

Memphis's fixation on money extends beyond what he believes he's owed for the restaurant; he outlines in great detail that he is unsure why his wife is dissatisfied in their marriage because he financially provides for her.

"He was a good old mule. Remind me of myself." - Memphis, page 66

In the 1937 novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God black-American writer Zora Neale Hurston gave representation of the mule as working at the bottom and bearing the weight of the world. Mules are used for heavy work but almost never highly regarded for their duty. Over the course of the novel, the symbolism of the mule begins to change that of sustaining life.

Mules can also symbolize stubbornness.

https://ctlsites.uga.edu/engl3820w-fall2016/symbol-of-the-mule/

Informal definition (noun): "A man who habitually seduces women."

As a runner and money distributor for Old Man Albert, Wolf serves at the behest of a white family, although he (likely) exclusively solicits black bettors. He is profusely apologetic to Sterling when his winnings are cut in half, perhaps partly linked to a sense of shame regarding his job and enabling white exploitation of poor black people.

"Holloway is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived as inhabitants at the hollow-way or holy way. Holloway is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree."

Sterling: Adjective

"(Of a person or their work, efforts, or qualities) excellent or valuable.

Sterling Silver: Noun

"Silver of 92 1/2 percent purity." (not pure silver); "It's over 90% pure silver, mixed with alloys to add strength and durability. And it won't wear down, as silver plating can."

Despite the fact that Wolf, West, and Holloway all ask Risa for sugar in their coffee throughout the play, Sterling specifies on page 20 "I like it black.". In a play set in a diner, the food and drink orders of each character certainly seems significant in relation to their character.

The preference for black coffee may be a result of his time in prison and an accustomed taste when he had less access to cream and sugar, may speak to Sterling's more "hardened" state as compared to the others as he doesn't fetter a notoriously bitter drink with sweeteners.

Sterling mentions on page 23 that he believes he was born with luck. He says to Wolf:

"You believe in luck? I was born with it. I was born with seven cents. My mama swallowed a nickel and two pennies and I come out with the nickel in one hand and the two pennies in the other. They say I was born with luck but they didn't say what kind. I think it was bad luck. What you think?"

Risa is Latin for "smile". Presumably related is Wolf saying to her, "Hey, Risa... keep smiling baby." as he exits on pg 23.

Clarissa is a derivative of the feminine form of the Late Latin name Clarus which meant "clear, bright, famous".

“Her name is Clarissa Thomas.” - Sterling, pg 20

Wolf, West, and Holloway all ask Risa for sugar for their coffee throughout the play, totaling in eight specific references to it (seen on pages 9, 35, 48, 50, 64, 83, and 95).

Sterling asks Risa on pg 48, "How come you don't give nobody no sugar? You make them ask for it." to which she responds, "I give it to them. All they got to do is ask."

We glean from Memphis mentioning that he owes Risa $49 after she already took $7 that she makes $56 per week (assuming she is paid weekly). In contemporary terms, this would translate to roughly $384.08 per week.

We hear extensively from Holloway that Sterling's short-lived construction job paid $10 per day, which Holloway dismisses as not enough money, but assuming the weekly $56 is accurate, Risa only makes $8 per day if she works seven days a week, and $9.33 if she works six days per week.

Hambone: Slang. (especially in vaudeville) a performer made up in blackface and using a stereotyped black dialect.

Though Hambone's insistence on getting his due is initially perhaps interpreted as outlandish, over the course of the play, we begin to see parallels to the rest of the characters. Hambone's demand for his ham particularly seems to be a foil to Memphis's repeated ultimatum that he will not accept less than $25,000 for the diner.

West mentions that Hambone's body is covered in scars unlike anything he's ever seen before, evoking the image of flogging scars. He is discovered by his land lady before Act 2, scene 3.

It it interesting to note that the play takes place over the course of six days, meaning that Hambone's funeral would have been the seventh (Biblically, the day of rest).

From Qun Wang's, An In-Depth Study of the Major Plays of African American Playwright August Wilson: Vernacularizing the Blues on Stage:

"Like Gabriel, Hambone has an idiosyncratic appearance. He does not have many lines in the play and his appearance often seems awkward and inopportune. But Hambone's appearance epitomizes the whole history of the relationship between black America and white America. From the Declaration of Independence, to the Emancipation Proclamation, to the Civil Rights Movement, the history of the United States is full of broken promises and betrayals. As one of the characters in Two Trains Running who truly possesses the 'warrior spirit,' Hambone is representative of those who are determined to fight for what they deserve."

West (noun): The direction toward the point of the horizon where the sun sets at the equinoxes, on the left-hand side of a person facing north, or the part of the horizon lying in this direction.

Even in his introductory stage direction, West is identified as money-obsessed. This sense of insatiability seems enforced by the idea that his gaze is faced westward, toward the horizon - and the next opportunity. In American culture, the direction west is historically associated with entrepreneurship, pioneering, and the California gold rush of the mid-19th century.

The idea of West's sights being narrow also seems supported by the notion that he is an undertaker who never considered the implications of his profession until his wife passed away.

West, Wolf and Holloway all ask Risa for sugar for their coffee repeatedly in the play, but West is the only character who asks every time we see him, totaling 4 separate occasions he asks for some (seen on pages 35, 64, 83, and 95).

Risa mentions to Sterling on pg 48 that, "West ask for sugar and half the time don't use it. You watch him. First thing he do is ask for sugar and then it look like he change his mind."

Sterling responds, "West got a sweet tooth. I'm surprised he don't use it. As much pie as he eat."

Sterling isn't wrong. It is specifically mentioned that Memphis has Risa prepare West's pies before he arrives daily. The preparation seems to demonstrate a respect for West's status and the expectation to have the pie ready, despite some friction between West and Memphis over Memphis's ownership of the restaurant.

The other characters in the play never offer conjecture about how West made his millions or became an undertaker. The only glimpse we get into West's financial past is directly from him on page 83 when he says:

"I was gambling since before you was born. ...I ran two or three crap games. Sold bootleg liquor and ran numbers too. The only thing you get out of that is an early grave. I know. I seen it happening. I looked up one day and so many people was dying from that fast life I figured I could make me some money burying them and live a long life too. I figured I could make a living from it. I didn't know I was gonna get rich. I found out life's hard but it ain't impossible."

A recurring character in the Century Cycle, Aunt Ester is a (widely believed) supernatural entity. She helps black people in the community through metaphysical means after they throw money (typically $20 at a time) into the river.

Aunt Ester's home also has a red door, which has biblical connection to the Passover. In the Biblical chapter, Exodus, the Lord gives instructions to Moses signifying the beginning of the Jewish holiday known as the Passover. The Lord instructs the Israelites to slaughter an pure, sacrificial lamb and place its blood above the front door of each home on the 10th day of the month. He informs them that families that do this will be passed over by God, and their first born child will not be struck down. Doing this was seen as a sign of obedience and having confidence in God. The red door symbolizes the protection of God.

“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt" (Exodus 12:12)

https://biblicalwoman.com/red-door/

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+12&version=NIV

https://www.humoroushomemaking.com/the-red-door-significance

An extremely popular preacher in Pittsburgh with a cult-like following. Though we are unsure of his exact social and political positions, his perception splits the opinion of the characters in the play; he is accused by both Memphis and Holloway of being corrupt and having unsavory partnerships with powerful white businessmen, but Risa and Sterling pledge loyalty to him.

The Prophet Samuel become a judge of Israel after the death of the Highest Priest Eli and the War with the Philistines. After the Philistines victory in the war, they obtained the Ark of the Covenant, which held the 10 commandments from God, and Israeli land. When Samuel took Eli's place as judge, everything stolen by the Philistines was willingly returned. The name Samuel translates to "besought from God".

https://oca.org/saints/lives/2018/08/20/102349-prophet-samuel

An affluent white banker with suspicious ties to Prophet Samuel. After the stock market hiccup, he expresses fierce loyalty toward Samuel.

Lutz is the white business owner of the meat shop across the street from Memphis's restaurant.

Lutz is a word of Germanic origin. The surname is derivative of the name Ludwig, which means "famous" and "war". Lütz is also a city in Germany.

Runs the illict gambling "numbers" business and is Wolf's white employer.