University of Virginia Library

First Act

But what about the first act?
Well, we learn a lot about Henry,
about his deep affection for his
brother, about his philosophy and
his almost romance and his love of
nature and freedom and teaching
and being. Still, he is joyfully
relating to people in the society
around him. These people talk
about his peculiar ways, but, felt,
he's a spirited kid with original
ideas and a full head of steam. It
isn't until his arrest, a good fifty
minutes into the play, that we
clearly see the gap between Henry
and society.

The first act, as it stands, is a
pastiche, a series of incidents which
tell us about Henry but either don't
tell us enough or tell us things
which put his character in the
wrong perspective. Mssrs. Lawrence
and Lee need to re-structure this
act with their controlling dramatic
purpose at the front of their minds.