Introduction: Exploring August Wilson’s Journey in “How I Learned What I Learned”
August Wilson’s autobiographical work, “How I Learned What I Learned”, takes readers on a journey through his remarkable life as an African American poet, playwright and storyteller. Through powerful storytelling, Wilson unpacks his challenges as a Black man growing up in poverty in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, PA. “How I Learned What I Learned” gives insight into how he evolved from a poor homeless boy to an influential artist playing a seminal role in the development of contemporary American theatre.
Wilson shows how the various experiences he had throughout his childhood shaped him as an adult including learning how to hustle for resources on the streets and having to drop out of school at just 15 years old. He details learning lessons that would later become core parts of his artistry where he notes: “I was beginning to learn something other than what they taught me in school — things that would be useful even more than my education”(1). By openly sharing these stories and perspectives, Wilson strives to make sense of staying true to one’s identity while overcoming adversity.
He also illustrates support networks around him while growing up including family members and many friends like Bird Legs who inspired his character Gabriel in Gem of The Ocean. Through ‘How I Learned What I Learned’ we gain new insight into which real life people impacted our understanding of Wilson’s beloved characters such as Ma Rainey or Troy Maxson from Fences. Furthermore, by weaving personal reflections alongside bits history by drawing from oral accounts from older generations; it allows us greater access into why individuals made certain choices which led Wilson down an illustrious career path. Being able to relate some personal accounts with actual historical elements promotes empathy towards past generations more easily than simply using facts alone could do (2). Additionally this allows us deeper understanding into key moments in time such as incredible lows like when being robbed by white police officers after being mistaken for someone else or being part
Overview of August Wilson’s Personal Story
August Wilson was an award-winning playwright who wrote a series of ten plays about life in 20th century African-American communities. He is widely acknowledged as one of the most important figures in contemporary American theater. Born Frederick August Kittel Jr. on April 27, 1945 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, his parents divorced when he was young and his father abandoned the family soon afterwards. Wilson’s mother worked multiple jobs to support the family and their modest lifestyle, though she rarely saw her son due to her long working hours.
Wilson dropped out of school after seventh grade—due to anger at what he perceived as racial injustice—but continued to read voraciously outside of school and began writing poetry at a young age. He turned his attention to playwriting in 1978 when he wrote Jitney; an autobiographical exploration of African American life in Pittsburgh during the 1970s. The play would go on to win him several awards and rank among his most critically acclaimed works alongside Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (1984) and Fences (1985).
The themes prevalent throughout much of Wilson’s work include issues pertaining to race, identity, heritage and generational conflict; somewhat reflective of his own struggled upbringing that pushed him away from traditional education but opened pathways for him through self-taught literacy from books that surrounded him throughout difficult times growing up both financially poor yet culturally rich in a large black community with a continually evolving musical landscape. Wilson often drew heavily onhistory for contextand poetics for storytellingespecially when discussing African American culture around a narrative arc that frequently pointed towards more traditional elements found within the five canonsof drama leading characters oftentimes attempting to transcend what could be described as oppressive external forces while facing personal internal conflicts at various stages during thenarrative movement towards resolution wheresometimescorresponding moral themes are appreciated by critics pointing out social commentary frequently crafted message found amongstthe playwrights structure whichoverall summarizesacceptance over rejectionafifirmation
The Impact of His Work on Theater and the African American Community
The impact of August Wilson’s work on both theater and the African American community is deeply felt, even decades after his death. Most notably known for writing plays such as Fences and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone within the decade-long cycle about African American life, Wilson opened up conversations in both the professional theatrical arena and in our day to day exchanges through depictions of African American characters experiencing a wide range of emotions rooted in their lived experience.
Wilson opened up dialogue amongst critics, viewers, actors, and other playwrights in regards to how characters of color should be depicted. His advocacy for true representations helped give Black lives validity, breadth and an authenticity often missing from theatrical representation prior to his works. By speaking out against misrepresentation and forcing us to face uncomfortable topics such as racism in streets, homes and workplaces, Wilson’s wrote with an understanding that cannot necessarily be fully appreciated by those without a deep knowledge of Black culture.
In addition to impacting theatrical circles, his work sparked new conversations amongst the wider African American diaspora regarding past injustices endured throughout generations but largely left unaddressed. Through thoughtful musings on injustice as experienced through characters navigating a post Reconstruction America riddled with racism yet rich with hope; he provided theatre professionals a platform for exploration into a world too often forgotten or skewed story being told thereon stages around the world prior to his own arrival on it . His stories were rife with compassion no matter how bleak they may have been at certain moments –– giving spaces more room for catharsis than despair when discussing communal level wounds affecting the African-American community at large.
Ultimately August Wilson brought a humanity never before witnessed onstage to mainstream theater audiences — expanding collective cultural literacy on issues affecting people of color here in America while simultaneously paying homage with equal parts reverence and commitment toward telling untold tales brimming over with optimism paired with desire –– why ‘hope’ was present every step along way within every character he penned
A Closer Look at “How I Learned What I Learned
“How I Learned What I Learned” takes an interesting look at life lessons, as well as how they can be applied to subsequent experiences. The premise is straightforward: by closely examining the choices we make throughout our lives and the consequences that follow, we can better understand how action (or inaction) affects the outcome of future endeavours.
The theme of “learning what we learn” brings up some interesting points about the human experience. It implies that past decisions — regardless of whether or not those decisions were successful — can still be used to inform our present and future actions. In essence, this message promotes using hindsight as a tool for navigation in ever-changing circumstances and adversity. Indeed, embracing mistakes and missteps makes for a strong starting point when aiming for personal growth and development.
It’s also important to acknowledge what popular culture has given rise to with regard to this sentiment—namely, today’s obsession with self-improvement. It seems like every article encouraging readers to strive higher includes a variety of offhand examples on how one should learn from their mistakes—all in efforts hoping to promote healthier behavior across all aspects of life while achieving greater life satisfaction in general.
In sum then, “How I Learned What I Learned” tackles a nuanced subject within an entertaining manner—prompting us to reflect on our identities without feeling chastised for making any wrong choices along the way; encouraging us move forward without feeling burdened by nonessential societal standards; inspiring us go after goals that seem intimidating with liberating certainty found only through lived experience; and ultimately guiding us towards leveraging our own histories in order realize more fulfilling futures going onwards down the road.
Examining the Theatre Legacy He Left Behind
The legacy that famous playwright, William Shakespeare, left behind is one of immense import. He wrote some of the most important works in English literature and fundamentally changed the way theatre was explored and appreciated. Shakespeare created new words, phrases, and concepts that we use every day. His works span a variety of different genres including comedies and tragedies, histories, romances and mysteries.
His plays are often seen as timeless and universal due to their strong themes of family loyalty, romantic love, morality and goodness. His characters provide lessons which transcend time periods – they can relate to us still today no matter our cultural setting or even era. Scholars have established some basic facts about Shakespeare’s life but very little is definitively known about him as an individual – however this mystery only adds fuel to passionate debates on who he was!
Due to his prolific output over a relatively short period (less than 23 years!), there was much influence on other playwrights following him such as those of Restoration England and the 19th-century Romantic Movement which revolutionised theatre with the integration of more emotional performances than ever before. Such works include Romeo & Juliet by Victor Hugo in 1787–88; The Merchant of Venice by John Fletcher in 1598; Macbeth by Thomas Middleton in 1606; King Lear by Nahum Tate in 1681; Hamlet by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in 1773; Othello by Patrick Marber 1892 ;and A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Ingmar Bergman 1968 .
Shakespeare’s work has been translated into many languages from Afrikaans to Zulu so his poetry can be experienced across all lands. In modern times interpretations come alive on stage with techno-crazy features such as holograms creating mind blowing effects. Films have also featured numerous versions illustrating diverse interpretations while adding suspense creating even more popular appeal and interest amongst younger generations sparking curiosity for further exploration into the original works – a trend highlighting both old yet current
How We Can Honor and Remember His Life and Legacy
In honoring and remembering a loved one’s life and legacy, we can take several steps. We can share memories of the person’s life; laugh and cry together; celebrate the special moments they experienced; express our gratitude for having known them; and build on their memory by continuing and advancing their work.
We can also commemorate their memory in more tangible ways, such as memorial services or gatherings to honor the individual’s life. These events could open with a moment of silence, followed by short speeches from family members, friends or fellow community members sharing memories of the deceased. If possible, photos or videos from the individual’s life can be shared as a living memory during these services and get-togethers.
In recent years, some people have even chosen to honor their loved ones’ memories through crowdfunding initiatives in order to provide funds for charitable causes related to their passions or interests. This allows people to not only continue the work that was meaningful to someone who has passed away but also gives others an opportunity to join in on remembering them too
Finally, we should strive throughout our lives – though sometimes it may be difficult – to take time from our busy schedules every so often to visit gravesites where our late ones are resting. Visiting special places that remind us of happier times we spent together is another way to practice remembrance since these spaces give us time alone with our thoughts about someone gone but still close at heart.
