Pulling Apart Pulitzer Prize-Winning Dramas

Description Sidney Kingsely sets up a wonderful ode of sorts to those working in the medical field. SPOILERS INCLUDED. The protagonist, Dr. Ferguson works his way up the ranks while losing his relationship with his fiancee. Their relationship deteriorates and a Ferguson has a one-night affair with a nurse at the hospital after a bitter argument with his fiancee. It is revealed that the nurse was, in fact, impregnated. She forced an abortion that eventually killed her. To heighten the drama, not only was Ferguson to help perform an operation to prevent her death, but his fiancee was forced by another doctor to watch the operation. I will not spoil what decisions are made at the end of the show. To be noted: The play was originally directed by Lee Strasberg. Candid Reactions  The play's dedication helps reinforce the notion that this play is a mirror. It is dedicated "To the men in medicine who dedicate themselves, with quiet heroism, to man." I wonder if the footn...

Description In all honesty, I looked forward to reading this play the least. I had listened to Kurt Weill's 1947 soundtrack of it some time in the past year or so, and I did not follow the track at all. In retrospect, that makes complete sense because there is hardly any plot. The central plot deals with Mrs. Maurrant's affair. The neighbors are scandalized by this. When Mr. Maurrant catches on, he begins to act extra coldly towards her. Their son, Willie, acts like a punk. Their daughter, Rose, acts almost exactly like Mrs. Maurrant. She is pursued romantically by several gentlemen, but she has only true feelings for Sam, her Jewish neighbor. By the end of the play, Mrs. Maurrant is found out by her drunk husband. The results are . . . not good . . . Somehow, the play reminded me of Our Town , which I do not enjoy for a millisecond. Yet, I could stomach this play. Perhaps I enjoyed it because it was more realistic and their was more drama? I don't know. Fun facts to l...

Description Marriage. Marriage. Marriage. Marriage. Marriage. African-American discrimination. Paul Green's 1927 drama trail-blazed. Green decided to draw the public's attention to systemic racism in America. The play centers on Abraham McCranie's struggle to better himself and his community. Abraham McCranie is a biracial man who desires to secure a brighter future. His master, the Colonel, is his father. His brother, Lonnie is white, and does not support him. Near the start of the play, Abraham and Lonnie get into an argument, which leads Lonnie and the Colonel to violently whip Abraham. Later, the Colonel appears to be a provider to Abraham: he helps set Abraham with the opportunity to gain an education and to work in the area's first school. As Abraham celebrates these new opportunities, he continues to lash out in anger in challenging times. Abraham butts heads with his son, Douglass, too. Douglass does not value education and tries to further himself through mu...

Description Get ready . . . Craig's Wife   by George Kelly . . . is mainly about . . . Mr. Craig's wife! HA! Harriet Craig is the main character. I don't know how I'd classify her. Is she the protagonist? Is Mr. Walter Craig, her husband, the protagonist? I don't know. I'm not sure it matters, either. In short, Harriet Craig is impossible. She tries to control everything for her own benefit. Eventually, Mr. Craig is made aware of her manipulative ways and he begins to rebel. The play almost assumes an Albee-esque vibe in the middle of the play. Candid Reactions Was Kelly intending for most of the last names to be male names? The question, "Is there a need for marriage outside of financing?" seems to be an important social question of the 20s.  Harriet contends that she married "to be independent" (168). Paradox, anyone? I wasn't expecting that interesting argument that women have more control over men in marriage.  Miss Austen...

Description Hatcher Hughes's Hell-Bent fer Heaven is classified as a melodrama. The play takes place in Kentucky. The families of Hunt and Lowry have had a history of feuding that had died over 50 years ago. However, when Sid Hunt returns home from war, the feud reignites. Rufe Pryor, a helper of the Hunts, rekindles the feud because he wants to be with Jude Lowry, but Jude is devoted to Sid Hunt. Rufe liquors up Jude's brother, Andy, and starts to feed Andy lies. The families suddenly fall back into seemingly random spats. Eventually, they team up and punish Rufe for his behavior-- behavior he has attributed to being a faithful follower of God. Candid Reactions Wow, it is surprising to see a character over the age of 80! Gotta love a play that sneaks its title into the dialogue.  Rufe is such a passionate person, as evidenced by, "[Y]ou cain't keep me from lovin' your immortal soul" (26).  Thanks, Hughes for Andy's early one-liner, "If he ...