Episode-Wise Summary of the Play, Machinal
Presentation: Machinal by Sophie Treadwell
Summary
The play is divided into 9 different ‘episodes’, each one very simply titled to inform the audience of what is literally taking place in the scene. The episode titles are as follows:
Episode 1 - To business
The play opens in a typical working office environment. Immediately we learn that none of the characters are referred to by their name, each character is known as their title, i.e. Young Woman, Telephone Girl, Filing Clerk etc, and this continues right though the play. We learn that central character Young Woman feels estranged from the robotic life that surrounds her, and feels trapped by the mechanical lifestyle that everybody appears to follow. She is offered a marriage proposal by her boss, Mr Jones (who is later referred to as husband).
Episode 2 - At Home
Scene focuses on the relationship between Young Woman and her Mother. Young Girl is like a puppet to her Mother, a woman who doesn’t listen and has become a part of automated life. She aims to avoid any questions about life and love Young Woman asks her, and instead says only “Love! – what does that amount to! Will it clothe you? Will it feed you? Will it pay the bills?” When Young Woman questions her mother, she replies, “I suppose I did – I don’t know – I’ve forgotten – what difference does it make – now?” Young Woman fears her life for becoming like her mother is the way of most women.
Episode 3 - Honeymoon
The wedding evening of Young Woman and Mr Jones, and Young Woman is terrified at the prospect of spending the night with her husband, a man she is not in love with. The stage notes describe her as having ‘eyes that are wide with a curios, helpless, animal terror’, and she is reduced to tears. We assume they consummate the marriage.
Episode 4 - Maternal
Young Woman is in hospital, having given birth to a baby girl. We get an impression she has been in the hospital for a long time, and she is sorrowful that her child is
Summary
The play is divided into 9 different ‘episodes’, each one very simply titled to inform the audience of what is literally taking place in the scene. The episode titles are as follows:
Episode 1 - To business
The play opens in a typical working office environment. Immediately we learn that none of the characters are referred to by their name, each character is known as their title, i.e. Young Woman, Telephone Girl, Filing Clerk etc, and this continues right though the play. We learn that central character Young Woman feels estranged from the robotic life that surrounds her, and feels trapped by the mechanical lifestyle that everybody appears to follow. She is offered a marriage proposal by her boss, Mr Jones (who is later referred to as husband).
Episode 2 - At Home
Scene focuses on the relationship between Young Woman and her Mother. Young Girl is like a puppet to her Mother, a woman who doesn’t listen and has become a part of automated life. She aims to avoid any questions about life and love Young Woman asks her, and instead says only “Love! – what does that amount to! Will it clothe you? Will it feed you? Will it pay the bills?” When Young Woman questions her mother, she replies, “I suppose I did – I don’t know – I’ve forgotten – what difference does it make – now?” Young Woman fears her life for becoming like her mother is the way of most women.
Episode 3 - Honeymoon
The wedding evening of Young Woman and Mr Jones, and Young Woman is terrified at the prospect of spending the night with her husband, a man she is not in love with. The stage notes describe her as having ‘eyes that are wide with a curios, helpless, animal terror’, and she is reduced to tears. We assume they consummate the marriage.
Episode 4 - Maternal
Young Woman is in hospital, having given birth to a baby girl. We get an impression she has been in the hospital for a long time, and she is sorrowful that her child is