Radio Golf by August Wilson

Radio Golf

Introduction

The play Radio golf is the final installment of the 10 part series of August Wilson about African American life in the 20th century. The play being set in a predominately black section of town known as Hill District brings out a conflicting situation for the lead character Harmond Wilks which requires from him to decide what values to uphold and what matters most; loyalty to Black community, economic success, political career or his own personal integrity. There are many symbols that can be found in the play that help the writer to effectively engage as well as bring out various elements in the story. The house, Golf, Harmond's career as a real estate developer all are employed as symbols in the play. Another important symbol can be the reference to America as 'a giant slot machine' by Old Joe. What he says about putting in the coin in that machine is something to ponder on and provides much for the thinking of those watching the play or those reading it.

Discussion

Wilson in the play deals with the issues of race and class. One can also find an examination of the middle to upper class Blacks and their role in the community as a whole and particularly to the Black masses. The story is therefore set in an area that is predominantly of Blacks. The area known as the Hill District has a high rate of crimes and poverty and is marked by a devastating lack of commerce. A successful Black businessman Harmond Wilks lives in this place, who along with his friend Roosevelt Hicks hopes to improve the condition of the place by creating a real estate redevelopment with a range of new houses, apartments and commercial space.

The two men though have different ideas about their role on the community. Harmond has visions or aspirations of becoming the next mayor of the city which will help in making the Hill a place that is much more recognizable with the rest of the city. Roosevelt on the other hand, is an opportunist who has plans of getting rich by purchasing a local radio station. There is talk about the development of houses and the arrival of Old Joe brings out twists in the story.

The things Old Joe tells to Harmond are something that provides much to think about the differences that existed in the society. ...