Point of View

For the most part, the action of the play unfolds with a focus (point of view) on central character and protagonist Pops Washington. His actions, reactions, and intentions are the primary motivating factor in the action, even when secondary characters (i.e. Junior, Lulu) take focus, however briefly. The story is built around, and defined by, Pops’ journey of transformation, which has a number of aspects. First, there is his movement from denial about several aspects of his living situation (i.e. the death of his wife, his relationship with his family, his lawsuit against the city) into an acceptance of various realities and truths. Then there is his movement from a compassion based on a kind of resigned tolerance (i.e. towards Oswaldo, Lulu, and Junior) to a broader, more genuine sense of wanting the well-being of others (i.e. the “orphans” that he...