The American dream

Alternate Titles

• Zoo story.

Description

The play, a satire on American family life, concerns a married couple and their elderly mother. They are visited by two guests this particular day who turn their world upside down. The family in this play consist of a dominating Mommy, an emasculated Daddy and a clever and witty Grandma. A neighbor, Mrs. Barker, enters and the dialogue continues with the occasional interjection by Grandma. Mommy and Daddy exit leaving Mrs. Barker and Grandma alone. Grandma apparently knows why Mrs. Barker has been asked to come by and explains to her that Mommy and Daddy had adopted a son from her many years previously. As the parents objected to the child's actions, they mutilated it as punishment, eventually killing it. After Mrs. Barker exits, a Young Man appears at the door looking for work. After hearing his life story, Grandma realizes that this Young Man, whom she dubs "The American Dream," is the twin of Mommy and Daddy's first child. As the first child was mutilated, he too was experiencing the pain and has been left as an empty shell of a man. After seeing this Young Man as a way out, she moves her things and leaves. The Young Man is introduced to the family as a suitable replacement for the original child. --Wikipedia.com.

Subjects

Other Editions

• The American dream: and, The zoo story : two playsPlume1997-01-01
• The American dreamSignet Books1961-01-01
• The American dreamCoward-McCann1961-01-01
• The American dreamCoward, McCann1961-01-01
• Death of Bessie Smith.Dramatists Play Service1961-01-01
• The American dreamDramatists Play Service1961-01-01