Father Comes Home From The Wars

Synopsis

West Texas, 1862

Hero, a slave during the American Civil War, faces a series of moral and physical challenges in Suzan-Lori Parks’ trilogy, “Father Comes Home from the Wars.” The journey begins in “A Measure of a Man,” where Hero grapples with whether to fight for the Confederacy alongside his master in exchange for a promise of freedom. In “The Battle in the Wilderness,” Hero confronts the brutal realities of war and the master-slave relationship. The final part, “The Union of My Confederate Parts,” delves into Hero’s return home, revealing profound changes in him and his loved ones.

The play is a powerful exploration of freedom, identity, loyalty, and betrayal. The play offers a poignant look at the African American experience during one of America’s most tumultuous periods. Parks’ use of lyrical language and a blend of historical and fictional elements creates a vivid commentary on the human condition and the relentless quest for self-determination and freedom.