Both Your Houses -- by Maxwell Anderson (1933)
DescriptionMaxwell Anderson's "Both Your Houses" deals with the corrupt ways of American politics. The title echos Mercutio's curse on the Montagues and Capulets after he is carelessly stabbed to death. Perhaps in Anderson's play, Alan is the one who is metaphorically yelling "A plague on both your houses" to all sides of Congress.
The Chicago Tribune contained a review to a recent production of the play. Its synopsis of the play is clearer than anything I could hope to write in summarizing the play. Read it here. The basic gist: Alan McClean, a young politician, shakes up the world of politics by challenging the system. Ultimately, he realizes the system cannot be fully manipulated by man.
Uplifting stuff, I know.
Candid Reactions
- Bus, one of the female secretaries, comments, "They try to hold you on their laps the first day and assault you the second" (6). How terrifying is that comment?
- Wow, my handwriting was bad this time around . . .
- The politicians' carelessness about major issues is both familiar and frustrating.
- Sol is such a character! He has some of the most memorable lines, such as, "By God, if there's anything I hate more than store liquor, it's an honest politician" (42).
- Alan asks, "Does Congress have to be bribed to pass a bill?" (53) You can see why this play is produced so frequently.
- Interesting comparison of Alan to the biblical figure of David.
- Did Sol really just ask if they went to the White House for lessons in smiling? HA!
- Always fun to learn a new word. The word from this play that most surprised me was "mucilage."
- Sol wholeheartedly believes that money is the all-powerful influence in the world of politics.
- Alan's aim to kill the bill by filling it with crazy clauses is funny.
- Yeah, I'm not catching all of these subplots.
- Alan suggests that all governments are fated for ruination.
- Sol ends the play with a knowingly hypocritical indictment: "I always told you boys you were a bunch of crooks, and you are. The whole blistering blasphemous batch of you! And some day they're going to catch up with you" (180). Yikes.
Top Two Aspects/Reasons for Winning
1. The Mess of Politics
Politics are messy. Bills are passed or not passed for a variety of questionable reasons. This play dissects the underbelly of politics. We look into a world of selfishness disguised as public charity. Yet, not all members of Congress are content with the nature of democracy. To fight a machine is noble, yet almost impossible. Anderson asks for persons to act more selflessly and morally.
2. The Humor of Humanity
Although the show can be interpreted as biting or sharply critical, it should also be considered to be downright comedic. The show is laced with one-liners and scenarios that are humorous.
Classroom Implications
I don't think I'd ever use this text, but I could recommend it to AP Gov't/AP US History teachers and students.
Personal Takeaway
I don't think I enjoy works centered on politicking.
Ranking
Dialogue
|
Characters
|
Plot/Conflict
|
Symbol/Literary
Devices
|
Overall Enjoyment
|
TOTAL SCORE
5.25 |
|
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 (.5)
|
Reader has no interest in
re-reading play (.5)
|
|
1
|
Not
consistently realistic
|
Well-developed; most depictions
reflect humanity (1.5)
|
Semi-engaging; some unnecessary
plot-points (1)
|
Devices somewhat enhance story
|
Reader would re-read with
pleasure and reminded of work
|
|
2
|
Realistic;
connotative; diction matches characters (1.75)
|
Fully-developed; depictions
reflect humanity
|
Engaging; unique; reader finds
it impossible to put down text because the conflict is so gripping!
|
Devices seamlessly enhance the
story and provide rich interpretation
|
Reader would re-read the play
on own volition, enthusiastically
|
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