Machinal is a modern age tragedy of isolation turned to murder. The play, Sophie Treadwell said, is about "a young woman, ready, eager for life, for love...but deadened, squeezed, crushed by the machine like quality of the life surrounding." Loosely based on the sensational 1927 murder trial of Ruth Snyder, Treadwell uses this scenario as a springboard for her own speculations about what circumstances might drive a seemingly harmless stenographer to commit murder.
(excerpt taken from the-hypocrites.com)
I've found that the title is actually pronounced "mock-en ahl" here. If you think differently, don't take my word for it, that's just what I discovered!
I definitely agree with John, Machinal vey much reminded me of The Adding Machine from a female's point of view.
I feel really redundant by saying this, but I think Helen's machine-like qualities played off the fact that in the 1920's the same things were expected from all women. I was pleased to see that Kristen agreed with me.
I know all of these stories are from the same time period, but I think the main "theme" (not really the right word, but it's the first that comes to mind...I'm at a loss) of these stories relates to the roles men and women played in the 1920's. There really wasn't room for advancement. Everybody had their set ways of living, they didn't really know things could be different....that or they were too busy doing the Charleston.
Posted by StormyKnight at February 24, 2005 1:00 PM(This is off-topic!) I'm liking the look so far, Stormy. Lemme know if you need any help with anything--I've got links to good resources on my blog if you need 'em :-) You're doing well on your own, though!!
Posted by: Karissa at February 24, 2005 10:16 PM