"His speech is delivered with the literacy of a janitor."
August Wilson says nothing of Sam's appearance. Characterization is crafted merely from Sam's dialect and Wilson's careful choice in regards to syntax and language. Sam initially appears to be a stereotypical janitor, or what society expects a janitor to be. The audience assumes he is an uneducated, middle-aged man with a lowly profession.
Sam's words are profound. He speaks with the wisdom which comes only from old age, time, and one "..who has approached life honestly, with both eyes open." Wilson's message is obvious; society places little value on those deemed irrelevant to it as a whole, or those who appear to have little of importance to offer. Sam is neglected into a janitorial position, and his years of wisdom are left unheeded in an empty ballroom.
Each person has some amount of worth, some originally vital words or experiences to tell. We leave such value ignored, heeding to our culture's trivial emphasis on importance of rank in a social hierarchy.
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