Alison's House -- by Susan Glaspell (1931)

Description

I've reached a point in this project I both dreaded and anticipated with much joy. I am happy to say that I've been able to access these plays either through my own collection or from my local libraries. However, there are some plays that are simply not accessible in these libraries. It frustrates me that my timeline is now less in my control, but it excites me that interlibrary loan exists and can do the hard word for me!

Susan Glaspell's Alison's House is the first play I have had to receive via ILL. The 1931 play is based on Emily Dickinson's life. The play is set on New Year's Eve of 1899 at the Stanhope house . . . or Alison Stanhope's house . . . even though it wasn't her house . . . She did live there on the second floor in her private room. The family is preparing to leave the house and must determine what to do with the remains of her room. Several members of the family have differing opinions on what should be done. Do they preserve her belongings still after her death? Do they destroy the remainder of her room to maintain her privacy from the public? What do they do with the allegations of social misconduct? Glaspell's play questions the roles of society, family, gender, the world of literature, and romances. For as universal as the themes might be, the play has never been revived on Broadway. 

Candid Reactions

• Hey, this was directed by a woman, Eva La Guillienne. She also played one of the principal roles. 
• The time period of this play is obviously going to matter. It's Dec. 31, 1899. 
• Knowles recalls, "I'll never forget the day I got [Alison's poetry] . . . and saw this lake -- because she had seen the river" (6). Why does that line move me? 
• So Elsa had an affair and Alison's life had hidden rebellions?
• Stanhope urges, "No disturbance in Alison's room. It has to keep its -- serenity, the one day it has left" (14). I am getting some weird vibes. 
• Stanhope with a savage burn!!!!
• Agatha holding her teapot is an oddly effective metaphoric moment. 
• Why do some of the stage directions have one bracket ([) but not the other (]) ? 
• What is a kermiss? Find out here.  
• Okay, Agatha needs help. 
• I like how the family is so unobservant that they can't figure out who set the fire. 
• Glaspell sprinkles in poetic language throughout: "Keeping her flowers warm in winter. How did she keep them warm?" (59)
• See above comment: "The sun of this century is setting" (95). 
• Finally, the callback to the title. 
• The end of Act Two is unsettling. 
• Yup, I'm scared. 
• Debate time! Elsa believes, "Nothing stays right -- forever." Ann responds, "Love does" (115). Who is right?
• They want Alison to speak for all women. How empowering!
• Glaspell provides another challenging thought: "It is possible to love so much you can live without your love" (153). 
• That was a sweeping ending. 

Top Two Aspects/Reasons for Winning
1. Dickinson's Life Revised
That the story preserves a memory of one of America's most prolific writers is to be celebrated. For a private life to be delicately handled on a public stage is no small feat.

2. Turn of the Century
With the play set on the cusp of the 20th century, Glaspell forces the audience to consider how to address time and eras, but in an intimate, human way. Alison's family has to figure out how to preserve her memory and treat each other with humanity. The questions they ask themselves are questions humans should ask themselves at the turn of the century: How do we want to end this time? What do we want carried over for future generations? Who is responsible for legacies?

Classroom Implications
I think this would be a very boring text to use with students. MAYBE it could be a reference point during a poet study on Dickinson.

Personal Takeaway
Sometimes the most interesting about a piece of writing is that it's based on a true story.

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 (1.5)	Well-developed; most depictions reflect humanity (1)	Semi-engaging; some unnecessary plot-points (1.5)	Devices somewhat enhance story (1.5)	Reader would re-read with pleasure and reminded of work (1)
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