The story in one page
Jack Tanner finds himself appointed guardian to the young, clever Ann Whitefield, an arrangement he views as a trap. While Jack attempts to flee to the mountains to avoid her domestic gravity, Ann expertly manipulates their social circle to ensure his proximity. Amidst secret marriages and philosophical debates, the play pivots into a surreal, extended dream sequence where Don Juan contemplates the nature of existence. Ultimately, Jack realizes that his intellectual resistance is no match for the relentless, evolutionary pressure Ann embodies, and he surrenders to the inevitability of their shared future.
Who's who
- Jack Tanner
A revolutionary philosopher and reluctant guardian of Ann Whitefield.
- Ann Whitefield
The determined, manipulative force ensuring her own marriage to Jack.
- Octavius Robinson
A lovesick poet who pines for Ann with tearful devotion.
- Violet Robinson
A woman of secret conviction and surprising, hidden marital status.
- Don Juan
The protagonist of a dream sequence debating the nature of love.
What it's really about
- Life Force
- Biological imperative drives humans toward their own reproduction.
- The Revolutionist's Handbook
- A satirical text arguing against conventional social and moral structures.
Why it's memorable
- Ann fainting on command to manipulate Jack's immediate attention.
- Jack comparing Ann's guardianship to a boa constrictor's embrace.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
Jack accepts his defeat, formally proposing to Ann while decrying their lost freedom. She accepts his arm, content with her victory while he keeps talking.
For your book club
- Marriage acts as the ultimate battlefield for philosophical egos.
- The dream sequence in hell provides a sharp, analytical departure.