Subject
American drama -- 20th century Books
Best books
Kenneth Sawyer Goodman
The Game of Chess: A Play in One Act
"The Game of Chess: A Play in One Act" by Kenneth Sawyer Goodman is a theatrical drama written in the early 20th century, specifically in the years leading up to World War I. This play explores themes of power, identity, and the nature of life and death through the metaphor of a chess game. The dialogue-driven piece encompasses the nuances of the human condition and the political tensions of class struggles. The story unfolds in a richly decorated room where two characters, Alexis Alexandrovitch and Boris Ivanovitch Shamrayeff, partake in a tense game of chess. While playing, Alexis engages Boris in a philosophical conversation that reveals the complex dynamics of their relationship and the larger societal issues at play, rooted in class conflict and revolutionary fervor. As the dialogue deepens, the stakes escalate beyond the chessboard when Boris, an agent of the revolutionary party, confronts Alexis, a nobleman, about killing him. The play delves into themes of duality and self-awareness, culminating in a dramatic twist where the lines between predator and prey, as well as the notions of justice and vengeance, are disturbingly blurred. Ultimately, it highlights the absurdity and gravity of their situation, leaving both characters in a deadly game where survival and truth hang in the balance.
Gertrude Stein
Geography and Plays
"Geography and Plays" by Gertrude Stein is a collection published in 1922. This experimental work contains the poem "Sacred Emily," famous for originating the line "Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose." Stein's enigmatic sentence explores how language invokes imagery and emotion, expressing what she saw as poetry's power to restore direct meaning to words. The phrase became one of literature's most quoted lines, endlessly interpreted, parodied, and debated by writers from Hemingway to Huxley.
Angelina Weld Grimké
Rachel: A Play in Three Acts
"Rachel: A Play in Three Acts" by Angelina Weld Grimké is a play written in 1916. Created as the first theatrical work for race propaganda by the NAACP, it follows a young Black woman whose deep love for children collides with the brutal realities of American racism. When Rachel discovers her father and brother were lynched, and witnesses the suffering of Black children around her, she faces an impossible choice between motherhood and protecting future generations from injustice. Set in a domestic world, this groundbreaking drama brought dignified portrayals of Black family life to integrated American audiences.
John Louis Haney
Monsieur D'Or : $b A dramatic fantasy
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Edna St. Vincent Millay
The Lamp and the Bell: A Drama In Five Acts
"The Lamp and the Bell: A Drama In Five Acts" by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a dramatic work likely composed in the early 20th century. The play presents a rich tapestry of characters set in the fictional court of Fiori, featuring themes of love, politics, and personal ambition through the lens of royal dynamics. The opening introduces multiple characters, including Beatrice, Princess of Fiori, and her sister Bianca, hinting at their intertwined fates amid the pressures of love and duty. At the start of the play, the audience is introduced to a vibrant scene in the royal garden, where characters such as Laura, Francesca, and the jester Fidelio engage in light banter. The conversations reveal the complexity of their relationships and hint at underlying tensions, particularly regarding Beatrice's ambitions and desires. As the characters interact, themes of laughter, rivalry, and lightheartedness juxtapose the serious inquiries about love and loyalty that will likely inform the narrative's direction. This initial portion sets the stage for evolving conflicts while establishing an engaging, whimsical atmosphere that invites viewers to invest in the characters' journey.
Djuna Barnes
A Book
"A Book" by Djuna Barnes is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The work explores various themes through richly drawn characters, often delving into the complexities of human emotions, relationships, and societal expectations. The opening portion introduces a character named John, who is deeply intertwined with horses, reflecting his inner turmoil and contrasting desires for freedom versus societal constraints. The beginning of the collection opens with "A Night Among the Horses," where John, a stable boy, finds himself drawn to the wildness and beauty of the horses while grappling with feelings of isolation and conflict in his life. As he observes the freedom of the horses, he reflects on his interactions with Freda Buckler, a woman who represents both allure and the societal expectations he struggles against. This portion sets a tone of longing and existential questioning, establishing a vivid backdrop of nature and human emotion that is likely to resonate throughout the collection.
Eugene O'Neill
All God's chillun got wings, and Welded
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F. Scott (Francis Scott) Fitzgerald
The Vegetable; or, From President to Postman
"The Vegetable; or, From President to Postman" by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a play published in 1923. Fitzgerald's only theatrical work, it satirizes the American dream through Jerry Frost, a middle-class railroad clerk who dreams of becoming president—or at least a postman. Henpecked by his wife and trapped in a dull marriage, Jerry embarks on comic misadventures that mock ordinary ambition. The play's disastrous premiere in Atlantic City left audiences walking out and Fitzgerald heading to a bar during intermission.
Jesse Lynch Williams
Why Marry?
"Why Marry?" by Jesse Lynch Williams is a comedy play written in the early 20th century. It explores the complexities of love, marriage, and societal expectations through a spirited cast of characters in a country house setting, particularly focusing on Jean, the younger sister of the host, and her interactions with her fiancé Rex, alongside the more established relationships of Helen and Ernest. The play tackles themes of traditional vs. modern views on marriage and the struggles of individuals to assert their desires in a changing world. The opening of the play sets up a light-hearted yet insightful tone as it introduces the characters at a weekend gathering. Jean is portrayed as playful and somewhat carefree, while Rex is depicted as charming yet uncommitted, and their playful banter quickly establishes the dynamic between potential love interests. The scene also highlights the contrasting characters of Helen and Ernest, who embody more modern values and face the tension between career ambitions and romantic relationships. As Jean grapples with her feelings and the expectations placed upon her, the audience is drawn into a comedic exploration of romantic aspirations against societal norms, setting the stage for a deeper examination of marriage as the narrative unfolds.
Upton Sinclair
The Naturewoman
"The Naturewoman" by Upton Sinclair is a dramatic play written during the early 20th century. The narrative centers around the character Oceana, who has returned from a tropical island life to live with her relatives in Boston. The play explores the clash between Oceana's wild, unrefined nature and the restrictive social conventions of her new environment, highlighting themes of individuality, freedom, and the impact of civilization on natural instincts. The opening of the play introduces the Masterson family eagerly awaiting the arrival of their cousin Oceana, who has spent her formative years on a remote island in the South Seas. Through a lively dialogue among the family members, their mixed reactions to her imminent arrival are revealed, depicting a blend of curiosity, skepticism, and concern. Ethel, one of the younger characters who longs for freedom and excitement, particularly admires Oceana. As the family discusses their expectations of her and the inheritance tied to her return, the stage is set for a larger commentary on identity and the tensions between the constraints of society and the freedom of nature. The joyous and vibrant anticipation of Oceana’s unique perspective contrasts sharply with the stifling atmosphere of her relatives’ lives, hinting at the conflicts to unfold as her character is revealed.
Upton Sinclair
The Machine
"The Machine" by Upton Sinclair is a dramatic play written in the early 20th century. The narrative unfolds around the corrupt intermingling of business, politics, and socio-economic struggles in early 20th-century America, focusing on characters involved in the traction industry and their moral dilemmas. Central to this exploration are Julia Patterson, a magazine writer and social reformer, and Laura Hegan, the daughter of a powerful traction king, who grapples with her family's wealth and the resulting societal implications. The opening of the play introduces us to Julia Patterson's modest apartment, where she engages in conversation with Jack Bullen, a socialist activist. They discuss class struggles and the plight of the working class, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of corruption and social injustice. Laura Hegan arrives, and through dialogue, we learn about her charitable inclinations despite her father's dubious dealings in the traction business. Tension arises as Laura's awareness of her father's involvement in corrupt practices grows, particularly related to the impending decision of the Court of Appeals on a significant railroad case. This initial portion establishes a dramatic framework of impending conflict as characters navigate their moral beliefs against the backdrop of a corrupt political machine.
Jack London
The Human Drift
"The Human Drift" by Jack London is a philosophical treatise that reflects on human migration and survival, likely written in the early 20th century. The work explores the historical patterns of human movement driven by the primal need for sustenance, touching on themes of civilization's rise and fall while critiquing the destructive nature of humanity. The opening of the book establishes a narrative framework that examines the instinctual drives behind human migration, comparing these movements to that of animals in search of food. London emphasizes that migration has been a defining characteristic of human evolution and societal development, resulting in the conquest and displacement of weaker groups. He outlines various historical migrations, illustrating that the quest for food and survival underlies much of humanity's violent history. The passage vividly portrays the struggle for existence and suggests that such patterns persist in modern society, hinting at the recurring cycles of population growth and societal conflict that define human history.
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