Fires In The Mirror

Reverend Al Sharpton, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, and Norman Rosenbaum have two monologues, but the rest of the character only have a single monologue. Why do you think Smith gave more space to these voices? Do you agree with this decision? Why or why not?

How is the play reflective of its historical context? Do you believe that the issues—themes, symbols, context—are still relevant today? Why or why not?

Are there any voices that you feel Smith left out, or any characters that you feel should have gotten more space? What about characters who you feel should have received less space, or the importance of whose monologue you didn’t understand? Explain your answer.

Why do you think Smith chose verbatim theatre as the genre in which she would create this play? Do you think the play would be more or less successful if it were done differently? Explain your answer.

Smith has been criticized for her play making caricatures out of its characters, that is, for exaggerating their speech and personae. Do you think that this is a fair critique? Why or why not?

Within the play itself, Smith impersonates each of these characters in a one-woman show. Why do you think she has chosen to cast the play in this manner? Do you believe this would be successful? Why or why not?

Which character do you believe is the most sympathetic or your favorite? Which character do you believe is the least sympathetic or your least favorite? Explain your answers.

What role does justice, or a lack thereof, play within the work? How does it inform the characters’ monologues? How is it relevant to both the black and the Jewish communities? Explain your answers.