A Soldier's Play

How is Waters depicted? Is he a villain? A tragic figure? Is he worthy of empathy? Use evidence from the text to make your case.

How does the playwright depict anti-Black racism as it originates from white supremacy in the play? How does it manifest through internalized racism?

The Black characters in the play respond to the disadvantages they face in the racist military system in different ways: Some try to cooperate with the system, some resign themselves to the system, and some openly defy the system. What motivations, values, and/or goals shape each of these responses? Why?

Research the Black Power movement and the Black Arts movement. How does Fuller’s play fit into (or not fit into) the ideologies of those movements?

Davenport and Taylor are both captains. Compare and contrast the two characters. How are they different or similar? How has race impacted their experience and status in their roles?

Research the history of Black soldiers in the US military and their treatment during World War II. How does the play reflect, and engage with, the historical realities? In what ways is wartime violence paralleled by the racial violence in the play?

Examine the ideals of justice and due process in the play. How do different characters conceive of these ideals? What does the play suggest about the nature of justice?

How does the character of CJ function in the play? What is his role and wider significance?