Meshugha: A Comic Tragedy Book

It is 1934 and world is becoming polarized into two factions- fascism and communism. During the period between the two world wars, the United States maintained the stance of isolationism, not wanting to become involved in others' conflicts. In Europe, however, people who were regarded as different were already persecuted in the years leading up to World War II. It is in this light that New Orleans born Lillian Hellman penned her debut play The Children's Hour, about a vicious girl who falsely accused two of her teachers of lesbianism.

Martha Dobie and Kate Wright had met in college and upon graduation decided to start a boarding school for girls. Less than ten years later, they had raised enough funds from the wealthy to be self sufficient from their benefactors, and were ready to take full ownership of their school. Kate was to be married to long time beau Joe Cardin, who is also the school's doctor. Happy days seemed ahead for the trio, who along with the rest of Boston's Brahmin class, did not appear to be affected by the depression.

Before Joe and Kate could enjoy their marriage and honeymoon, student Mary Tilford accuses Kate and Martha of engaging in lesbian affairs. Mary believed that the teachers had been out to get her and complains to her grandmother, school benefactress Mrs. Amelia Tilford. Mrs. Tilford takes the side of her granddaughter, the school shuts down, and Martha, Kate, and Joe are ruined. Only Mary stands to gain from this situation because she returns to her grandmother's care and once again becomes the spoiled child that she is.

Throughout history both men and women engaged in endearing same-sex friendships. Hellman writes of lesbianism long before it was acceptable to discuss homosexual relationships in public. Those who were supposed homosexuals were ostracized for the rest of their lives. It appears to me that Hellman may have had an inkling of what was occurring on the other side of the Atlantic at the time of production, as those not in the aryan race were beginning to lose basic human rights. At a time- the Great Depression- when Americans desired upbeat escapes from everyday bleakness, Hellman instead produced a scathing debut play to begin her long, illustrious career.

The Children's Hour is a riveting character study that had me on edge to see what happened to both protagonists and antagonistic characters; which changed with each act. By reading classic American plays of the 20th century, I glean much about various time periods from these character studies. I would be interested in reading more of Hellman's works to see if her political stance changes. The Children's Hour, an intense character study, merits a solid four stars.