King Hedley II by August Wilson

Finalist! 2000 Pulitzer Prize in Drama

In the urban backyard, King Hedley, a man whose self-worth is built on self-delusion, is scraping in the dirt, trying to plant seeds where nothing will grow. Peddling stolen refrigerators in the feeble hope of making enough money to open a video store, he finds himself entangled in a world where getting is hard and killing is commonplace. This 1980's installment in the author's renowned cycle of plays about the black experience explores the themes of getting, spending, killing, and dying – threads woven into the fabric of a society struggling to survive.

The play's protagonist, King Hedley, is a complex and multifaceted character, whose pursuit of the American Dream has been thwarted by the harsh realities of his circumstances. Trapped in a cycle of poverty and violence, he resorts to desperate measures, including the theft and resale of refrigerators, in a bid to secure a better future for himself. However, his dreams of opening a video store and achieving financial stability are constantly undermined by the unforgiving nature of the world around him.

Amidst the gritty urban landscape, the play delves into the challenges faced by the black community, where the pursuit of basic necessities often comes at a great cost. The characters' struggles to navigate this treacherous terrain are punctuated by acts of violence and the ever-present threat of death, creating a powerful and often harrowing portrayal of the human condition.

The play's intricate narrative structure weaves together the various threads of getting, spending, killing, and dying, creating a tapestry that reflects the complexities and contradictions of life in the 1980s. The author's renowned cycle of plays about the black experience serves as a powerful lens through which to explore the broader societal issues that continue to shape the lives of marginalized communities.

Through King Hedley's journey, the play invites the audience to confront the harsh realities of urban life, the systemic barriers that impede the pursuit of the American Dream, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The play's Pulitzer Prize-winning recognition is a testament to its cultural significance and its ability to capture the raw essence of the human experience.

In the end, the play's exploration of these weighty themes, coupled with its nuanced character development and compelling storytelling, make it a powerful and thought-provoking work that challenges the audience to grapple with the complexities of the human condition.

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