The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds -- by Paul Zindel (1971)

Description
This play has the most unique title of all the Pulitzer Prize-winning dramas, hands-down. I have been curious about this play since the start of this project. When I read the description and synopsis online, I was even more excited.

I am frustrated to say that I was disappointed. The plot is problematic and simple; the characters are cartoon-ish. It felt like a D-version of one of my favorites, The Glass Menagerie.

So, what's it about?

Tillie, or Matilda, is a shy young high school student who is socially awkward. Her older sister, Ruth, is more popular, but equally troubled with fits of seizures. Their mother, Beatrice, might be the cruelest mother you encounter in contemporary American drama. Her bitter attitude about the world pervades all caring relationships. She abuses her children verbally. She speaks rudely about the old woman living with them, Nanny. She attacks all selfless individuals from Tillie's school who try to support her.

The title is taken from Tillie's science fair project where she exposes gamma rays to plants to gauge their effects. The plot centers on Tillie's presentation and Beatrice's presence at the presentation. Then there are is the poor bunny. No comments. Only condolences. 

Candid Reactions

• I've not seen any other play with a blurb before the play starts. It was almost like a teaser trailer. 
• Zindel continues to pique the interest of the reader by making the character descriptions pieces of their dialogues. Curious that some character descriptions are just ellipses. 
• I like that the printed version includes a drawing of the set. 
• The start of the play is ambiguous. The stardust monologue reminds me of Joni Mitchell. 
• That rabbit cage must be placed notably.
• Beatrice speaks in maxims: "Some were born to speak and others just to listen" (3). Sad :(
• Wow, did she just compare her house to a concentration camp?
• How often do playwrights use a line as simple as "Shut up"? 
• Beatrice is fragile, but violent. 
• I hate exposition dumps. Not cool, Zindel. 
• Beatrice seems like a knock-off Amanda Wingfield with her glorification of the past and the miscalculations of her abilities: "what I could do with eight garages" (25). 
• Yikes. Get out, Nanny!
• Once again, knock-off Wingfield: "Before I knew what happened, I lost my dancing legs and got varicose legs. Beautiful varicose legs" (35). 
• The lights randomly going out? Oh yeah, The Glass Menagerie. 
• Oh, no. What happened to these girls?
• Beatrice wants dignity. 
• The end of Act One is odd. Is it hopeful? Sad?
• Way to raise the stakes, Zindel.
• Beatrice is just so mean. Worst mother I've read in any play. 
• Tillie's speech during the science fair is altruistic and dissonant with the rest of the play. 
• The return of Ruth and Tillie to their home is frightening. 
• That poor rabbit. 
• The foils in the play are blatant.  

Top Two Aspects/Reasons for Winning
1. Lyricism
Yes, the play is crammed with symbolism. From the bunny to the poster board, Zindel tucks away a symbol on every page. The symbols are unique and appropriate.

2. Blunt Communication
Although the work includes an incredible amount of figurative language, it also uses straightforward diction. The interactions between Beatrice and her victims are relentless and piercing. Zindel achieves an impressive feat here by mixing poetic language with coarse, "unflowery" dialogue without making the play seem disjointed. 

Classroom Implications
I actually could envision this play being read in a high school setting. Due to the length of the play and the simplicity of the plot, it could easily be read in high school. I believe students could find lots of success analyzing character development, especially because the characters are nearly caricatured. Students might relate to the heart of Tillie and enjoy what she symbolizes. Symbolism could also be discussed with the science project, the bunny, the house . . . 

Personal Takeaway
I definitely have a soft spot in my heart for The Glass Menagerie, so it is difficult for me to read plays that are compared to it . . . nothing can quite compare . .  .

Ranking

	Dialogue	Characters	Plot/Conflict	Symbol/Literary Devices	Overall Enjoyment	TOTAL SCORE 6.5
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 (1)	Well-developed; most depictions reflect humanity (1.5)	Semi-engaging; some unnecessary plot-points (1.25)	Devices somewhat enhance story (1.5)	Reader would re-read with pleasure and reminded of work (1.25)
2	Realistic; connotative; diction matches characters	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