The Unknown; A Play in Three Acts by W. Somerset Maugham

"The Unknown; A Play in Three Acts" by W. Somerset Maugham is a drama written in the early 20th century. The play revolves around the lives of ordinary characters, primarily focusing on Colonel Wharton, his wife Mrs. Wharton, and their son John, who has just returned from the war. Set in a country manor, it explores themes of life, death, faith, and the complexities of human emotions against the backdrop of post-war society. At the start of the play, we are introduced to the Wharton family in their manor house, amidst the mundane preparations for a meal and the anxieties surrounding John's return after being wounded in battle. The atmosphere is a mix of excitement and worry, as John's prolonged absence has strained family dynamics, especially concerning his father's health. The poignant conversations hint at underlying tensions, particularly John's struggle with faith and the weight of expectations from his family, culminating in a moment of revelation regarding his beliefs. The opening sets the stage for a deeper exploration of personal and existential dilemmas influenced by the aftermath of war, while simultaneously addressing the nuances of familial love and societal norms. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset), 1874-1965
Title The Unknown; A Play in Three Acts
Credits Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images available at The Internet Archive)
Reading Level Reading ease score: 86.0 (6th grade). Easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
Subject England -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Drama
Subject Faith -- Drama
Subject World War, 1914-1918 -- England -- Drama
Category Text
eBook-No. 49771
Release Date
Last Update Oct 24, 2024
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
Downloads 328 downloads in the last 30 days.

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