Two Trains Running

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1993

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Before You Read

Summary

Act Summaries & Analyses

Act I

Act II

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

How would you characterize the ending of the play? Is it optimistic? Hopeful? A warning? What do you think happens next for Memphis? Sterling? Why?

Research the Black Power movement and what was happening in 1969. How does the play comment on the movement? What do you think the play asks its original audiences (in 1990) to do?

Read Gem of the Ocean, which is Wilson’s play for the first decade of the 20th century, focused on Aunt Ester. What do you think is the truth about Aunt Ester? How does this shape the rules of the world of the play? Use evidence from both texts.