The Subject Was Roses -- by Frank D. Gilroy (1965)

Description

The Subject Was Roses is set in the Cleary family's West Bronx middle-class apartment in May of 1946. The preceding evening marks Timmy's return from service in WWII. The parents held a homecoming party wherein Timmy became drunk. The show begins with the parents engaging in their shaky morning routine. John, a longtime coffee-businessman, intends to meet with a business partner in the afternoon, much to Nettie's disdain. Timmy eventually wakes to be overly cared for by his mother--she yearns for the perfect morning. When Timmy forgets what his favorite breakfast is and the waffles stick to the pan, Nettie breaks down. Her perfect, romanticized plans have not been met. Timmy tries to cheer her up by dancing with her, and they end up falling to the floor. John returns home, having not met with his business partner. He claims he thought of how fortunate they were to have their son return unmarred--other parents would be so envious of time with their children after the war. Timmy and John go to a Cubs game, which frustrates Nettie who had promised her mother and brother that she would visit them with Timmy.

It becomes increasingly obvious over the course of the play that John and Nettie have a rough marriage filled with bickering and differences. Timmy tries to resolve their issues in several ways. When he returns home with his father, he brings back a bouquet of roses to remind Nettie of her father's tradition of getting her a dozen roses on her birthday. Timmy tells John to act as if he (John) got the flowers for her. John does this and the family eats dinner that night out on the town. When they return home, all drunk, John tries to swoon Nettie. Nettie tells John that years-worth of damage cannot be resolved, healed, forgiven and forgotten in one night. John does not stop sweet-talking until Nettie throws the vase of roses on the ground. Nettie asks what the flowers were even supposed to signify if this is how not-understanding he is. John angrily confesses that the flowers were never his idea anyway, but were a product of Timmy's love.

Act Two includes drama over Timmy not wanting to join John at Mass, Nettie going missing, and Timmy planning to leave the house to live with a friend. Because I have basically spoiled all of Act One, I will refrain from revealing Act Two.    

Characters
John Cleary, father
Nettie Cleary, mother
Timmy Cleary, son, veteran

The play beat out The Odd Couple for the Tony Award for Best Play. The production was made into a movie-- a movie that started Martin Sheen's movie career. Interestingly enough, Sheen returned to the play a few years ago to play John, instead of Timmy. Watch some of the clips here.

Candid Reactions

• What are antimacassars?
• This silent start is so revealing. It develops John's character and gives the audience an important view into the context of the play. 
• That wordplay with protege, prodigy, and baby was perfect!
• And there's a famous quote: "If he came in here right now and said he could fly, you'd help him out the window" (58). 
• John always defends himself by accusing others of putting words in his mouth. 
• Timmy doesn't seem to believe his parents. 
• Oh, that waffle situation is such a perfect metaphor. 
• Is it guilt or gratitude that pulls John and Timmy closer together?
• "Loaded" seems to be a loaded word, Timmy!
• That they toast to "happy days" is sad.
• They all undermine each other left and right!
• They all have trouble with tenderness.
• Whoa, Nettie just went off! What an end to an act!!!
• Funny for John to think Timmy lacks discipline. 
• The difference in attitudes about coffee wonderfully captures Timmy and John's differences. 
• Having the right to make up your own mind is a crucial topic in the play. 
• A reversal!
• Each scene ends with such momentum!
• They all envision the return differently. 
• All of this discussion of blame reminds me of "The Witch's Lament" from Into the Woods.
• Heartbreak alert, heartbreak alert
• HEARTBREAK ALERT
• Another reversal!
• OH, THAT ENDING. IT HAD TO END THAT WAY, BUT WHY DID IT HAVE TO END THAT WAY?

Top Two Aspects/Reasons for Winning

1. Historical Context

The time period of the play allows for a commentary on treatment of veterans. It also examines how family life is changed (or not changed) over wartime. It would be lovely to think that a common concern and love would unite families, but humans are still humans during wartime. There was a point in my reading that it dawned on me: these huge countries could resolve major differences after great losses, but this family of three cannot resolve differences on less harmful ideological differences. How sad! Gilroy humanizes postwar families.

2. Excellent Character Development/Symbolism/Narrative Structure

I know it would be a cop-out for me to say that this play deserved the Pulitzer because it has "great writing," but it is the truth. The character development is not-labored, natural, and sentimental. The symbolism is unforced and perfectly captures main themes and contrasts. The pacing is flawless. The structuring is expert in its placement of reversals and dramatic ironies.

Classroom Implications

I would love to use this text in the classroom to do character analyses and symbolism dissection. I think the work is reachable for students in 10th grade and above. It is a short work. We could also do a comparison with the movie.

Personal Takeaway

All you need is love!

Ranking

	Dialogue	Characters	Plot/Conflict	Symbol/Literary Devices	Overall Enjoyment	TOTAL SCORE 9.5
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	Reader would re-read with pleasure and reminded of work
2	Realistic; connotative; diction matches characters (2)	Fully-developed; depictions reflect humanity (2)	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 (2)	Reader would re-read the play on own volition, enthusiastically (1.75)