Machinal, written by Sophie Treadwell in 1928, is a play that explores the theme of individual freedom and rebellion against societal expectations. The play is based on the real-life murder trial of Ruth Snyder, who was convicted of killing her husband in 1927. Treadwell uses Snyder’s story as a way to comment on the limitations and constraints placed on women in the early 20th century.
The play follows the story of Young Woman, who is trapped in a loveless marriage and suffocated by the expectations placed on her by society. She is expected to be a good wife and mother, but she feels trapped and unhappy in her role. Young Woman’s husband is abusive and controlling, and she is unable to escape the suffocating confines of her domestic life.
As the play progresses, Young Woman becomes increasingly desperate and begins to rebel against the expectations placed on her. She has an affair with a coworker, George H. Jones, and becomes pregnant with his child. Young Woman’s husband discovers the affair and threatens to kill her, forcing her to take drastic measures to protect herself and her unborn child.
The play’s climax occurs when Young Woman murders her husband in a fit of desperation and rage. She is arrested and put on trial for murder, and the play ends with her being sentenced to death.
One of the central themes of Machinal is the societal expectations placed on women in the early 20th century. Young Woman is trapped in a society that expects her to be a dutiful wife and mother, and she is punished when she strays from these expectations. The play highlights the ways in which these expectations can be suffocating and damaging, and how they can drive people to take desperate measures in order to escape them.
Another theme of the play is the struggle for individual freedom and the desire to escape the constraints of society. Young Woman’s affair with George H. Jones represents her desire for freedom and independence, and her murder of her husband can be seen as a rebellion against the expectations placed on her.
Despite the bleak subject matter and tragic ending, Machinal is a powerful and thought-provoking play that speaks to the universal human desire for freedom and independence. Treadwell’s writing is evocative and emotionally charged, and the play’s themes are still relevant today.
In conclusion, Machinal is a powerful and thought-provoking play that explores the themes of individual freedom and rebellion against societal expectations. Treadwell’s writing is evocative and emotionally charged, and the play’s themes are still relevant today. The story of Young Woman highlights the limitations and constraints placed on women in the early 20th century, and the play speaks to the universal human desire for freedom and independence.