The Kentucky Cycle -- by Robert Schenkkan (1992)

Description
The Kentucky Cycle was the first Pulitzer Prize-winning play that was not originally produced in New York. How's that for trivia?

It also is perhaps the longest play of the bunch, as it is a series of 9 plays. The epic drama spans from 1775 to 1975 in the hills of Kentucky. Schenkkan focuses on a few families and helps portray Appalachia in a comprehensive fashion. American mythology is embedded within the stories. Do yourself a favor and read a blurb of each play here.

The play did not receive any other awards during its New York stint because it was overshadowed by another behemoth: Angels in America.

If you love Appalachian history, American mythology, brutal murders, and cyclical family behavior, then this is the play for you!

Candid Reactions

• I always love when playwrights contend that the changing of scenery must be no distraction to the story being told. 
• The quotes before each play are thought-provoking. I wonder if he found these before, during, or after writing  each section. 
• What is pemmican?
• It is so insulting that the second play is called "The Courtship of Morning Star" (emphasis added). 
• My word, Michael is a monster!!!!
• Morning Star's statement is frightening: "He is born with teeth" (38). 
• Ah, that repetition of "What a baby" is perfection (41). 
• Patrick claims that land is "the only thing that lasts" (60). What a sad statement. 
• Do each of these plays just have really disturbing murders in them?
• The inherited behaviors of these family members are easily noticed. 
• The quote before "God's Great Supper" is utterly disturbing. 
• Nothing like a good headfake. 
• Was this Quantrill guy real? 
• I love Mary Anne's line, "When I was a kid I used to think that tree was all the kept the sky off my head" (177). 
• The parallel scenes are really starting to satisfy. 
• The final line of "Tall Tales" is great. 
• I love Schenkkan's description of the set at the start of "Fire in the Hole": "almost as is a healthy outer layer of skin had been ripped off and some essential 'essence' had been bled out of it" (211). 
• This union drama reminds me of Storming Heaven. 
• The statement that a union is "everybody there is -- everybody there ever was, everybody there ever will be" reminds me of The Grapes of Wrath. 
• Nice nod to "The Homecoming."
• Josh's thought, "It'll be like we never were," is moving (326). 
• I don't know what I feel about that ending. It could look really dumb or really awesome. 

Top Two Aspects/Reasons for Winning
1. Appalachian Representation
This play has received mixed reviews on the representation of Appalachia, but what all critics can agree on is that this play is significant for its long gaze and investigation of Appalachian culture. Schenkkan draws attention to a commonly overlooked population in America. In so doing, the public can gain a better understanding of the history of a large minority. Schenkkan argues in the afterword that the play is really not about Appalachia, but America.

2. Epic Storytelling and American Mythology
Schenkkan might have bitten off more than he could chew, but not everyone would agree with that statement. To span two centuries in nine plays to represent an entire culture through a few families is absurd. To do so successfully is prolific.

Classroom Implications
Never in a million years would I assign this entire text. However, I could see how parts of this play could be connected with works such as Ceremony or Storming Heaven. 

Personal Takeaway
Epic stories can be told with excellence still.

Ranking

	Dialogue	Characters	Plot/Conflict	Symbol/Literary Devices	Overall Enjoyment	TOTAL SCORE 8.0
0	Unfollowable; unrealistic; diction does not match character	Undeveloped; does not reflect humanity	Not engaging; predictable; reader can step away from text because it isn’t gripping	Devices are apparent for cleverness and do not enhance the story	Reader has no interest in re-reading play
1	Not consistently realistic	Well-developed; most depictions reflect humanity	Semi-engaging; some unnecessary plot-points	Devices somewhat enhance story  (1.5)	Reader would re-read with pleasure and reminded of work (1.25)
2	Realistic; connotative; diction matches characters (1.75)	Fully-developed; depictions reflect humanity (1.75)	Engaging; unique; reader finds it impossible to put down text because the conflict is so gripping! (1.75)	Devices seamlessly enhance the story and provide rich interpretation	Reader would re-read the play on own volition, enthusiastically