ok. now that i have actually read the play and seeing that there wasnt any postings or cliff notes on this, just for you people who might have to read this play is what the play is. i will just give the highlights of the acts/scenes. i hope this helps.
Characters:
Ephraim Cabot- Father/man of the house, about 75 yrs old
Simeon - Cabot's son, 39 yrs old
Peter - Cabot's son, Simeon's brother, 37 yrs old
Eben - Cabot's son, Simeon's and Peter's half-brother, the youngest, 25 yrs old
Abbie Puntman - Cabot's new bride in Scene Four, about 35 yrs old.
Setting:
Place - New England in and immediately outside the Cabot farmhouse, where two large elm trees "hang" over the house
Year- 1850s
Part One:
Scene 1:
-the scene begins with Eben looking out from the porch at sunset ringing the dinner bell.
-Simeon and Peter talk about and wonder about gold in california
-Cabot has been gone for about 2 months
-its seems Simeon and Peter hold a grudge against Cabot for making them always work on the farm
-before going insided, Eben remarks at how he wishes Cabot is dead
Scene 2:
-set in the kitchen, they are eating
-Simeon scolds Eben for praying their father is dead
-Eben accuses Cabot for killing his mother, stating he made her work like a slave around the house. he also accuse Simeon and Peter for not "helping" his mother if they claim she was good to them.
-Eben believes the farm belongs to him b/c Cabot stole it from his mother
-they then talk about when Cabot left and why. Simeon was the last to see him, he said theat he thought he was drunk and sick of the farm and felt like leaving to learn GOD's message.
-Simeon also says he would have taken him on but stopped. Eben scorns Simeon and Peter that Cabot is stronger then them and they are scared. when Peter asks if Eben can take him on, he retorts that he is getting stronger.
-Eben says he's going to Minnie's. from what Simeon and Peter describe, she is about 40 yrs old and looks pretty for her age. Minnie has been with Cabot, Simeon and Peter.
She's like the town whore
Scene 3:
-just before dawn, Simeon & Peter's room
-Eben hears from the towns people that their father has married again to a woman of 35 yrs (Abbie)
-Simeon & Peter think they can go to cali now b/c everything will go to her now. Eben says hell no to that idea.
-Coincindently, Eben has a paper for a boat, however, Simeon & Peter have to pay $300 each for their share of the farm to be sold to Eben. S & P wonder where Eben got the money for the boat, he replies his mother knew the whereabouts of the money
-S & P wonder where Eben was (@ Minnie's) and are suspicious of his plan. they also plan not to work on the farm anymore
Scene 4:
-same as scene 2
-S & P sign the deal ...Eben owns the farm and give them some or all the money
-as S & P leave the estate, they see their father, Cabot and his new wife, Abbie Puntman coming up
-Abbie is described as a buxom, full of vitalities with some qualities shared by Eben (this info is a hint of whats to come)
-all four come to meet. Abbie believes the house is HERS, Cabot comments "his" then "ours - mebbie". Simeon and Peter scoff at this; they tell her they shouldnt claim its her house in front of Eben. she says she'll tell him herself
-Cabot is curious to why S & P arnt working. they say they are free and tell their plans to go to cali. Cabot is outrage. S & P then throw rocks at a few windows and run off.
- when Abbie meets Eben, she becomes aware/alert and is noted she feels attracted to him. she tries to be seductive towards him while being wry. Eben is slightly attracted to her until she claims the house.
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