Suzan-Lori Parks’ Father Comes Home from the Wars is a powerful Civil War drama, blending Homeric epic with modern allegory. Set in 1862 Texas, it follows Hero, an enslaved man torn between fighting for the Confederacy and loyalty to his community. Exploring themes of freedom, identity, and loyalty, this play reimagines the Odyssey in a historical context, offering a profound commentary on America’s past.
1.1 Overview of the Play
Father Comes Home from the Wars is a three-part play by Suzan-Lori Parks, set during the American Civil War. It follows Hero, an enslaved man in Texas, as he grapples with the decision to fight for the Confederacy alongside his enslaver, the Colonel, in exchange for freedom. The play explores themes of identity, loyalty, and freedom through a mix of historical drama and mythological references, drawing parallels with Homer’s The Odyssey. The narrative is divided into three distinct parts, each examining Hero’s journey and the moral dilemmas he faces. The play features a chorus of enslaved individuals, adding a collective voice to the story. With its lyrical language and layered characters, Parks crafts a compelling exploration of America’s past, blending personal struggle with broader historical commentary, earning it critical acclaim and the 2015 Kennedy Prize for Drama.
1.2 Historical Context: The American Civil War
The American Civil War (1861–1865) serves as the backdrop for Father Comes Home from the Wars. This conflict, fought between the Union (Northern states) and the Confederacy (Southern states), was deeply rooted in disputes over slavery, states’ rights, and economic and cultural differences. The war resulted in the abolition of slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment. Suzan-Lori Parks’ play captures the complexities of this era, particularly the moral ambiguities faced by enslaved individuals like Hero, who were promised freedom for fighting for the Confederacy. The play’s setting in 1862 Texas highlights the precariousness of life for enslaved people and the difficult choices they faced during this tumultuous period in American history.
Plot Summary
Father Comes Home from the Wars is divided into three parts, tracing Hero’s journey during the Civil War. The play explores his decision to fight for the Confederacy, his experiences, and his return home, delving into themes of freedom, loyalty, and identity, while reimagining history through an Odyssey-inspired lens.
2.1 Hero’s Dilemma: To Fight or Not to Fight
Hero, an enslaved man, faces a profound moral and emotional struggle when offered freedom by the Colonel in exchange for fighting alongside him in the Civil War. Torn between the promise of liberation and loyalty to his enslaved community, Hero grapples with identity, duty, and survival. His decision weighs heavily on his relationships, particularly with Penny, his wife, and the Colonel, his enslaver. The chorus and Old Man provide conflicting perspectives, heightening the complexity of his choice. This internal conflict not only defines Hero’s journey but also reflects the broader themes of freedom, loyalty, and identity, making his dilemma a central driving force of the play.
2.2 The Setting: Texas in 1862
Set in early 1862, the play unfolds in a remote area of far-west Texas, a region deeply embroiled in the Civil War. The vast, isolated landscape serves as a backdrop for Hero’s internal and external conflicts. The setting reflects the harsh realities of slavery and the moral ambiguity of the era; Texas, a Confederate state, is portrayed as a place of tension and transformation, where the promises of freedom and the cruelties of enslavement coexist. The isolation of the location amplifies the characters’ struggles, creating a vivid atmosphere that underscores the play’s themes of loyalty, betrayal, and identity. This setting is crucial in shaping Hero’s journey and the broader narrative of the Civil War’s impact on individuals and communities.
2.3 The Three Parts of the Play
Father Comes Home from the Wars is structured into three parts, each exploring different phases of Hero’s journey. Part 1, A Measure of a Man, introduces Hero’s dilemma: whether to fight for the Confederacy alongside his enslaver, the Colonel, in exchange for freedom. Part 2 delves into the moral and emotional consequences of his decision, while Part 3 examines his return home and the complexities of reuniting with his community. This tripartite structure mirrors the epic format of The Odyssey, creating a narrative that spans war, identity, and redemption. The play’s division into three parts allows for a deep exploration of Hero’s internal conflicts and the broader societal tensions of the Civil War era.
Major Themes
The play explores freedom vs. enslavement, loyalty, betrayal, and identity. Hero’s journey reflects societal tensions, personal conflict, and the pursuit of belonging during the Civil War era.
3.1 Freedom vs. Enslavement
The play delves deeply into the theme of freedom versus enslavement, as Hero faces the agonizing decision to fight for the Confederacy in exchange for his liberation. This choice symbolizes the broader struggle of enslaved individuals during the Civil War, trapped between the horrors of bondage and the uncertain promise of freedom. Hero’s internal conflict reflects the complexities of freedom—its elusiveness, its cost, and its meaning in a society steeped in oppression. The enslaver, the Colonel, offers Hero a conditional freedom, highlighting the power dynamics that define their relationship. Meanwhile, other characters like Penny and the Old Man grapple with their own forms of enslavement, whether physical or emotional. Through their stories, Parks critiques the systems of oppression and explores the enduring quest for liberation, both literal and metaphorical.
3.2 Loyalty and Betrayal
Loyalty and betrayal are central themes in Father Comes Home from the Wars, as Hero grapples with conflicting allegiances. His loyalty to his wife, Penny, and his enslaved community is tested by the Colonel’s offer of freedom in exchange for fighting alongside him. Hero’s decision to join the Confederacy is seen by some as a betrayal of his people, while others view it as a necessary sacrifice for survival. The play explores how loyalty is complicated by power dynamics, with the Colonel representing both oppression and a false promise of liberation. Meanwhile, Penny’s unwavering loyalty to Hero contrasts with his internal conflict, highlighting the emotional toll of betrayal. Through these dynamics, Parks examines how loyalty and betrayal are intertwined in the struggle for freedom and identity during the Civil War.
3.3 Identity and Belonging
Identity and belonging are deeply explored in Father Comes Home from the Wars, as Hero navigates his existence as an enslaved man. The play examines how slavery erases identity, forcing individuals to redefine themselves. Hero’s journey is a quest for self-discovery, torn between his role as a slave and his aspirations for freedom. His decision to fight for the Confederacy complicates his sense of belonging, as he struggles to reconcile his actions with his community’s expectations. The chorus and other characters, like Penny and Homer, further illustrate the collective search for identity amidst oppression. Parks uses these characters to show how enslaved people carved out spaces for selfhood despite systemic dehumanization. The play ultimately questions what it means to belong in a society that denies one’s humanity, offering a poignant reflection on resilience and self-definition.
Character Analysis
The play revolves around Hero, the Colonel, and Penny, each embodying complex struggles of freedom, loyalty, and survival, reflecting the era’s moral and emotional turmoil.
4.1 Hero: The Protagonist
Hero, the enslaved protagonist, grapples with identity and loyalty during the Civil War. He faces a moral dilemma: join the Confederacy for freedom or remain enslaved. His decision weighs heavily on his relationship with Penny, his wife, and the community. Hero’s journey mirrors the Odyssey, symbolizing a quest for home and self-discovery. His internal conflict reflects the broader themes of freedom, loyalty, and survival, making him a deeply human and relatable figure in the play’s exploration of America’s tumultuous past.
4.2 The Colonel: Hero’s Enslaver
The Colonel, Hero’s enslaver, represents the oppressive authority of the Confederacy. He offers Hero freedom in exchange for fighting alongside him, a proposition fraught with moral complexity. The Colonel’s character embodies the contradictions of the Civil War era, blending paternalism with exploitation. His relationship with Hero is multifaceted, marked by manipulation and a distorted sense of loyalty. Through the Colonel, Parks critiques the institutionalized racism and power dynamics that defined slavery. His presence underscores the moral ambiguity of war and the difficult choices faced by those entangled in its grasp, making him a pivotal figure in Hero’s journey and the play’s exploration of freedom and identity.
4.3 Penny: Hero’s Wife
Penny, Hero’s wife, is a symbol of resilience and moral strength. She represents the emotional anchor of Hero’s life, embodying the hope of a future beyond slavery. Penny’s character is defined by her unwavering loyalty to Hero and her community, while also expressing a deep understanding of the harsh realities they face. Her interactions with Hero reveal her pain and fear, as she grapples with the possibility of losing him to war. Penny’s voice is crucial in highlighting the personal costs of conflict and the enduring power of love and family. Through her, Parks sheds light on the often-overlooked experiences of enslaved women and their roles in sustaining their communities during times of turmoil.