Prof. Jessica Penner | OL05 | Fall 2020

Topdog/Underdog Dialogue Discussion

By now, you’ve read the three scenes from the awesome play, Topdog/Underdog. A copy is embedded below.

I provided a series of questions after each scene:

What is the rhythm/pace of this scene?

How can you tell? (Hint: Look at the stage
directions.)

What do we learn about the brothers’ characters
and points of view?

Cohorts 1 & 2 are assigned the questions for Scene 1.

Cohorts 3 & 4 are assigned the questions for Scene 2.

Cohorts 5 & 6 are assigned the questions for Scene 3.

Be sure to state which scene you are commenting on and read other comments before you respond. If you notice that someone in your group has already responded with your answer, you can say “I agree with X, but I’d like to add X” or “I disagree with X, I think X.”

Respond in the “reply” section below!

18 Comments

  1. Leviza Murtazayeva

    Scene 2
    What is the rhythm/pace of this scene?
    -The pace of this scene seems ready fast and not calm since most of the lines were expressed with an exclamation mark, “Booth
    Oh lordamighty Ima faint, Pa! Get me muh medsin!
    (Lincoln quickly pours two large glasses of
    whiskey.)
    Lincoln
    Dont die on me, Ma!
    Booth
    Im fading fast, Pa!” is an example of this rushing pace, as well as this scene was drowsy and confusing, since it seemed like the character were drinking.

    How can you tell? (Hint: Look at the stage
    directions.)
    -I can tell that within the lines of “(Lincoln quickly pours two large glasses of
    whiskey.).” Also when I read the lines of the stage direction for both Booth and Lincoln
    “(Both men gulp down their drinks simultaneously.)
    Lincoln and Booth
    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
    (Lots of laughing and slapping on the backs.)”

    What do we learn about the brothers’ characters
    and points of view?
    I learned that their relationship is tense since they may have some disagreements but hey support each other, I saw that on this line of the scene “Lincoln
    You all right, man.
    Booth
    Just cause I aint good as you at cards dont mean I
    cant do nothing.” A reader can tell that both characters are intoxicated from the speech.

  2. Robert Rampersaud

    What is the rhythm/pace of this scene?
    The rhythm/pace of this scene was a slow pace in scene 2 from the excitement of both brothers.

    How can you tell?
    I can tell because the brothers are answering in short words. Also, Lincoln was trying on clothes which you normally do not do while having a full conversation.

    What do we learn about the brothers’ characters and point of view?
    From this short scene we learn that Booth has a problem with wealthy owners of a department stores. He would steal from them because they make more money that him and Lincoln. Also, I believe Booth steal from the department stores because he trying to show appreciation to Lincoln of bring income from the card games.

  3. Angelica Salazar

    Scene 3 :
    What is the rhythm/pace of this scene?
    I think the rhythm/pace of this scene would be a steady pace, there were times where the characters cease talking or rest and then continue to converse. Also, the description of Booth’s events with Grace seemed to interest Lincoln and he kept a steady response either when asked a question or to keep the conversation going .
    How can you tell? (Hint: Again, look at the stage directions.)
    I say this because the dialogue between the two brothers is fairly consistent, it goes back and forth between the two, and also usually after a Rest, Lincoln continues the conversation.
    What do we learn about the brothers’ characters and points of view?
    We learn that the brothers tell each other important or meaningful events in their lives, I also think that they know each other a good amount and are like friends as well.

    • Luzmery

      Scene 1

  4. Luz Mery Felipe

    What is the rhythm/pace of this scene?
    The pace of this scene varies, at first we can see that it is fast because they don’t let each other finish a sentence, however at the end is more like steady-constant, they take the time necessary to respond.
    How can you tell? (Hint: Look at the stage directions.)
    At first, Booth starts off by saying “I had the sense to go back cause I was feeling something going on man, I was feeling something changing. So I”. We can clearly see that he didn’t finish his sentence because Lincoln goes right away and says “Cut school that day like you did almost every day—”. He didn’t finish that sentence either but after that part they both take the time to respond.
    What do we learn about the brothers’ characters and points of view?
    I learned that even though there are some disagreements between them, they still talk things out. They let each other know how they are feeling and why.

    • Luz Mery Felipe

      Scene 1, Cohort #2

    • Sarvinoz Erkinova

      Answers to questions from Scene 1, Cohort 1.
      Hello Luz,
      1. I agree with you that the rhythm and pace are various but it’s mostly fast and interrupting but by the end of the scene it soothes and gets calmer after Lincoln plays his guitar and Booth listens.
      2. It is true that they were interrupting each other and it was clearly shown in lines by (—) after each one of them spoke and Booth constantly was shouting and arguing with Lincoln. And it was obvious that the situation calmed after Lincoln played his song and Booth listened.
      3. I agree with your answer but I also want to add that Booth is a little more aggressive one who belittles Lincoln and makes him feel like he’s a burden to Booth. But Lincoln on another hand is the calm one who can take the responsibility for his actions.

    • nickay82

      Cohorts 2 scene 1

      What is the rhythm/pace of this scene?
      i agree with you about the rhythm and pace of the scene . The rhythm/pace of the scene started out fast/ loud and then transition into a steady constant pace. I could tell because at the beginning of the scene when Booth said
      Booth: She was putting her stuff in bags. She had all them nice suitcases but she was putting her stuff in bags.
      (Rest) Packing up her shit. She told me to look out for you. I told her I was the little brother and the big brother should lookout after the little brother. She just said it again. That I should look out for you. Yeah. So who gonna look out for me. Not like you care. Here I am interested in an economic opportunity, willing to work hard, willing to take risks, and all you can say you shiteating motherfucking pathetic limpdick uncle tom, all you can tell me is how you don’t do no more what I be wanting to do. Here I am trying to earn a living and you standing in my way. YOU STANDING IN MY WAY, LINK!

      The final line of booth saying “YOU STANDING IN MY WAY, LINK!” is a indication of him shouting. Also, the lines became shorter which shows that the scene was fast.

      In the last few lines the pace slowed down when Lincoln started to sing and they both started talking about their dad.

      What do we learn about the brothers’ characters
      and points of view?

      Based on the scene it seems like the brother will have a disagreement but don’t hold a grudge because after the argument they went into having a .conversation like nothing had happened

    • nickay82

      Cohorts 2 scene 1

      What is the rhythm/pace of this scene?
      i agree with you about the rhythm and pace of the scene . The rhythm/pace of the scene started out fast/ loud and then transition into a steady constant pace. I could tell because at the beginning of the scene when Booth said
      Booth: She was putting her stuff in bags. She had all them nice suitcases but she was putting her stuff in bags.
      (Rest) Packing up her shit. She told me to look out for you. I told her I was the little brother and the big brother should lookout after the little brother. She just said it again. That I should look out for you. Yeah. So who gonna look out for me. Not like you care. Here I am interested in an economic opportunity, willing to work hard, willing to take risks, and all you can say you shiteating motherfucking pathetic limpdick uncle tom, all you can tell me is how you don’t do no more what I be wanting to do. Here I am trying to earn a living and you standing in my way. YOU STANDING IN MY WAY, LINK!

      The final line of booth saying “YOU STANDING IN MY WAY, LINK!” is a indication of him shouting. Also, the lines became shorter which shows that the scene was fast.

      In the last few lines the pace slowed down when Lincoln started to sing and they both started talking about their dad.

      What do we learn about the brothers’ characters
      and points of view?

      Based on the scene it seems like the brother will have a disagreement but don’t hold a grudge because after the argument they went into having a .conversation like nothing had happened

  5. malik lee

    Scene 2
    1) What is the rhythm/pace of this scene?
    The pace of this scene was not very calm being that most lines are used with force because of the exclamation marks along with being at a rapid pace since they’re drinking

    2) How can you tell? (Hint: Look at the stage
    directions.)
    I was able to tell from the lines “Lincoln quickly pours two large glasses of
    whiskey.” “(Both men gulp down their drinks simultaneously.) and both men began to yell hitting each other.

    3) What do we learn about the brothers’ characters
    and points of view?
    We’ve learned that the two brothers’ relationship is a little rocky since they don’t always agree with one another but still love each other.

  6. Angelica Hernandez

    Scene 1
    What is the rhythm/pace of this scene?
    I would say the rhythm/pace of this scene is rapid because Booth seems to be scolding Linclon so out of rage I assume it would be fast. I feel that the pace changes at the end of the scene, it goes from being fast to a calmer conversation. but with the same aggressive tone.
    How can you tell? (Hint: Look at the stage
    directions.)
    Theirs a rest at the start of the scene and I think you can tell from it that its gonna become more aggressive, also later in the scene it says “(Booth sits on his bed. Lincoln, sitting in his easy chair with his guitar, plays and sings.)” that tells me that they finished having a deep argument.
    What do we learn about the brothers’ characters
    and points of view?
    I learned from the brother’s point of view that he’s a hard worker and wants his brother to work hard and that’s why he’s aggressive to him in this scene.

  7. Dylan

    What is the rhythm/pace of this scene?
    The scene feels slow paced, because Lincoln and Booth are celebrating and enjoying the moment.

    How can you tell?
    In the stage directions the brothers drink simultaneously to celebrate Lincoln’s fresh money, and after that they take their time trying on the suits that Booth stole. In the beginning the brothers make a show out of Lincoln’s success and laugh with each other. It feels as if they’re at ease. This laidback attitude continues throughout the script, with Lincoln taking the time to thank Booth for the good work.

    What do we learn about the brothers’ characters and point of view?
    They have a strong bond and trust that each will have the other’s back. After joking around Lincoln gives booth the money he brought so they could budget for the week. This shows Lincoln trusts Booth to handle his money. Booth also makes jokes about Lincoln’s ex-wife, where Lincoln shot back that she once cheated with Booth. This doesn’t faze either of them, showing that they’ve put their differences aside. Booth even steals an entire suit for Lincoln, which Lincoln thanks him for. They both don’t mind thievery.

  8. Saja Musa

    Scene 2

    What is the rhythm/pace of this scene?
    The rhythm of this scene is one that is filled with excitement and celebration.

    How can you tell?
    I able to tell that the scene is one that is filled with excitement based on the connotation of the diction that was used. Some of that diction includes simultaneously and quickly. Additionally, the stage directions gives a hint as to what the rhythm of the scene is. For instance, they quickly pour down the drinks. They continuously slap each other’s backs and laugh.

    What do we learn about the brothers’ characters
    and points of view?
    From this scene we learn that the brothers relationship is one like any other sibling relationship, filled with lots of arguments, disagreements, laughter, and trust. The main thing we learn from their point of view is that they trust one another. The biggest indicator to that is when Lincoln let Boothe know about the money. If he didn’t trust his brother he wouldn’t have told him.

  9. Diana Rivera

    Scene 3:
    What is the rhythm/pace of this scene?
    I believe the rhythm was very static. In my head, while reading, it was very steady the responses from each party.
    How can you tell
    It was very consistent, the conversation was going back and forth in the same tone. Even the responses of Lincoln, although showed his interest in what was being said, he said it in the same calm tone that matched the rest of the conversation.
    What do we learn about the brothers’ characters and points of view?
    The brothers both have significant events in their lives and want to share with each other. Also shows that they have such great interest in each others lives.

  10. Parikshit Thapa

    Parikshit Thapa, Scene 3

    What is the rhythm/pace of this scene?
    I feel like the rhythm/pace of scene 3 would be somewhere quiet and happening at a slow pace. They were having a casual conversation and taking a rest in between the conversation.

    How can you tell?
    They were having a steady conversation, and they were taking turns to talk in a similar tone. All of them had a calm and relaxing tone.

    What do we learn about the brothers’ characters and points of view?
    Brothers talk to each other about all the things from very basic to very important things that they were facing or doing and they spend wonderful time together.

  11. Parikshit Thapa

    Parikshit Thapa, Scene 3

    What is the rhythm/pace of this scene?
    I feel like the rhythm/pace of scene 3 would be somewhere quiet and happening at a slow pace. They were having a casual conversation and taking a rest in between the conversation.

    How can you tell?
    They were having a steady conversation, and they were taking turns to talk in a similar tone. All of them had a calm and relaxing tone.

    What do we learn about the brothers’ characters and points of view?
    Brothers talk to each other about all the things from very basic to very important things that they were facing or doing and they spend wonderful time together.

  12. Marina Malak

    Scene 2, cohort 3
    I disagree with Robert on the scene being a slow pace; I think it was fast paced as evidenced by the use of “(Lincolon quickly pours two large glass of whiskey)”. I do agree with Robert that they were both drinking and probably intoxicated in this scene. I also know because it used “(Both men gulp down their drinks simultaneously.)”, then Lincoln wanted to budget the money out in a hurry.
    I learned about the brothers’ character and point of view in this scene that Booth seems to be short tempered. Booth feels good about stealing the suits and stealing in general as evidenced by his line “That store takes in more money in one day than we will in our whole life. I stole and I stole generously”. He also seem to be not feeling good that his older brother Lincoln is better than him with cards. Lincoln’s character seems to be more sarcastic and smarter than Booth when it comes to scamming and playing the three cards. He seems to care about his brother as evidenced by asking him if he was ok and encouraging him “you did good”.

  13. Marina Malak

    Scene 2, cohort 3
    I disagree with Robert on the scene being a slow pace; I think it was fast paced as evidenced by the use of “(Lincolon quickly pours two large glass of whiskey)”. I do agree with Robert that they were both drinking and probably intoxicated in this scene. I also know because it used “(Both men gulp down their drinks simultaneously.)”, then Lincoln wanted to budget the money out in a hurry.
    I learned about the brothers’ character and point of view in this scene that Booth seems to be short tempered. Booth feels good about stealing the suits and stealing in general as evidenced by his line “That store takes in more money in one day than we will in our whole life. I stole and I stole generously”. He also seem to be not feeling good that his older brother Lincoln is better than him with cards. Lincoln’s character seems to be more sarcastic and smarter than Booth when it comes to scamming and playing the three cards. He seems to care about his brother as evidenced by asking him if he was ok and encouraging him “you did good”.

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