Look Homeward, Angel -- by Ketti Frings (1958)

Description
Look Homeward, Angel is an adaptation of Thomas Wolfe's novel of the same title. In the Introduction, it is revealed that Wolfe always wanted to be a playwright. He couldn't figure how to make Look Homeward, Angel, a play because of the vast amount of characters. I am curious about this because Ketti Frings, originally named Katherine Hartley, presents a digestible amount of characters and conflict without much trouble. Ketti, I am proud to say, is a native of Columbus, Ohio! She has another connection to a Pulitzer play, The Shrike: she wrote the screenplay for the feature film adaptation.

Look Homeward, Angel takes place in Altamont, North Carolina in 1916. The play centers on the Gant family. Mr Gant is a drunk stonecutter who has a fascination with one angel statue he received in Florence. Eliza Gant, the matriarch, is commanding and overprotective. She cannot release control over her children and is easily offended. She runs the family boarding house. Ben Gant is one of the sons who urges his younger brother, Eugene, to get out of the grips of his family and town. Eugene falls in love with a new boarder, Laura James. As the play progresses, each member of the Gant family suffers from inescapable truths.

The play has not been revived on Broadway, which surprises and disappoints me. While new stories need told, this story deserves to be repeated.

Candid Reactions

• Okay, where is this going?
• What exactly is "attractive, but not beautiful"? (36)
• The scenes between Ben and Eugene are so real. 
• Pony boy? The Outsiders? Anyone?
• I like how Frings has Jake try to walk with Laura, but Laura slips away from him -- this is a subtle addition to the theme of disillusionment.
• Eugene's speech reminds me of a poem we read in college about rivers . . . I can't remember the title. 
• That was a wonderful end to Act One. 
• Why is Laura that upset that her age is different than what she first said?
• The conflict has somehow gone from a 2 to a 10. 
•  At the end of Act 2 Scene 1, Ben's line to the angel is chilling, "And still you smile" (133).
• I think the doctor's commentary on how people can choose not to believe in God, but cannot believe in the "nothingness of Ben" is thought-provoking (152). 
• Oh, so that's what is going on with Laura.
• Poor Eliza. 
• The Epilogue is so fantastical. 
• The final dialogue between the two brothers is a tad confusing.  

Top Two Aspects/Reasons for Winning
1. Disillusion
The theme of disillusionment is prevalent in the play. Almost every character lives dissatisfied lives with hopes for tomorrow, but the far-out hope is too far for present gratefulness. I suspect the show's blunt, yet lyrical representation of a disillusioned America could have garnered critical praise.

2. Abandonment
Abandonment is a common human fear. From childhood, temporary abandonment is enough to elicit a sob-fest. Look Homeward, Angel tackles how the fear of abandonment and the reality of abandonment can cripple people.

Classroom Implications
I can't see using this in a high school setting, but perhaps students would enjoy the dysfunctional family dynamics. I think the focus would be theme.

Personal Takeaway
It really is inspiring to know that someone from your area has achieved literary greatness!

Ranking

	Dialogue	Characters	Plot/Conflict	Symbol/Literary Devices	Overall Enjoyment	TOTAL SCORE 8.25
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	Reader has no interest in re-reading play
1	Not consistently realistic	Well-developed; most depictions reflect humanity (1.5)	Semi-engaging; some unnecessary plot-points	Devices somewhat enhance story	Reader would re-read with pleasure and reminded of work (1.25)
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! (1.75)	Devices seamlessly enhance the story and provide rich interpretation (2)	Reader would re-read the play on own volition, enthusiastically