On the Dartmoor

Introduction of Writer:

Neil Forbes Grant was an English journalist, memorialist, and playwright. Before being known as a dramatist, Grant had an extensive career as a journalist, serving as foreign editor of The Morning Post for seven years. His most successful play, Possessions, was first performed in January 1925, at London.

 

Works :

Possessions
On Dartmoor
The Age of Leisure

Character List:

Muriel Armstrong

Leonora Astley

Bill Syme

Albert Read

Fred Lee

 

Analysis:

On Dartmoor may appear to be a crime play, but actually it’s a satire on a certain type of idealism which may be called fashionable, modern idealism or armchair idealism. Muriel Armstrong and Leonora Astley are two well-to-do bluestockings (The term bluestocking was first used in the 18th century to refer to a group of English women who decided they'd rather have intellectual conversations with educated guests than sit around playing cards and chatting), who in order to while away their time have developed an interest in criminals. They call themselves "integral anarchists," (a person who believes in or tries to bring about (anarchy- in a situation in which there is no government control in a country)) and they hate all institutions that deal with crime and criminals. They have intentionally (a person who helps and supports you, especially when other people are against you) They rented a house in the neighbourhood of a prison in the hope of helping escaped criminals.

When the play opens, 

LEONORA the slighter of the two. LEONORA, seated left, is fast asleep on divan near fire; 

MURIEL, smoking cigarette, is seated centre, half reading, half dozing. The blinds are drawn. Telephone bell goes.

Muriel is informed by the police about the escape of a criminal with instructions to inform them of the dialogue between the friends, 

Muriel - lakes up receiver. Hullow! Who? 

Police - yes. 

[Leonara half rises] Escaped prisoner! 

No. No. Heard or saw nothing of him. [pause]. Well, I'll see about that. [severely]. Good-bye. [rings off].

LEONORA: who has jumped up]. An escaped prisoner?

MURIEL: Yes.

In the course of which we are made familiar with their ideas. The function of the exposition or the beginning is to impart information about the main characters and the situation from which the play is to develop. This, the exposition does in the play, and what happens subsequently seems quite natural to us.

As the friends are talking, the escaped prisoner enters their home. They are all sympathy and help. They feed him, give him whisky and money, and plan his escape. They seem to be having a time of their life. In their excitement, and in their ignorance of the real world, they do not notice the skill with which the escaped convict leads them on, and plays upon their sentiments. They fail to notice certain things, which to an experienced person may have revealed that the escaped convict was a fake. But modern thieves are also very clever. Living by their ability to use words in a clever and amusing way in a very strong feeling against something or somebody's world is not an easy job. The plan to deceive these girls has been thoroughly worked out and wins support. The so-called Bill Syme is a very clever, intelligent and sharp judge of human nature, and handles the two girls in a manner that is a treat.

The appearance of the detective with his over-officious behaviour also fails to make them suspicious. The whole scene is a piece of fine craftsmanship. It is only when they discover the theft that their eyes are opened. Then their behaviour presents a strange contrast to their ideas with which we are made familiar in the opening. And when the real escaped convict, a miserable wretched man, appears, they fall on him like wild cats, their idealism and "integral anarchism" evaporating at the first touch of reality.

The satire is not direct but is made evident with the help of contrasted situations. The dramatist seems to imply that impractical idealism cannot solve the problems of society. Most of the people who pose as idealists are the idle rich who are not very serious in any work on these things to kill time and to get some excitement in their otherwise dull and uninteresting, fashionable lives. Such idealists, since they are divorced from reality, often come to grief.

The play basically says: talking about changing the world is easy, but doing it is hard. Fancy ideas without real action don't amount to much. And those who talk the loudest about helping others are often just the bored rich playing games.

Talk is Cheap, Action Matters, The play shows that it's easy to talk about big ideas and change, but actually making a difference is way harder. The two women think they're helping criminals, but they're really just playing a game and getting fooled.

Lack of experience Can Get You in Trouble: The play warns us to be careful about trusting people too easily or believing in things without really understanding them. The women are so focused on their ideas that they don't see the real world around them, and they end up getting hurt.

Not Everyone Lives in the Same World: The play shows how rich folks can be out of touch with the struggles of everyday people. The women don't understand crime or poverty because they've never had to deal with it, and their attempts to help end up making things worse.

Tricksters Are Everywhere: The play reminds us that there are always people out there who will try to take advantage of others. The con man (a man who cheats or tricks someone by gaining their trust a man who cheats or tricks someone by gaining their trust) in the play is a smooth talker who knows how to manipulate people's feelings to get what he wants.

Idealism Can Crash Hard: The play shows that when your big dreams about how the world should be meet the harsh reality of how it really is, it can be a big disappointment. The women have to face the fact that their ideas aren't working, and it's a tough lesson.

Boredom Can Lead to Bad Choices: The play suggests that sometimes people do crazy things just because they're bored or looking for excitement. The women are kind of bored with their lives, so they start playing with fire by helping criminals, and it backfires.

Themes:

1.Idealism and Reality:

The play explores the theme of idealism, particularly the impracticality of armchair or fashionable idealism. Muriel and Leonora, despite their self-proclaimed status as "integral anarchists," are portrayed as disconnected from the harsh realities of the world. The contrast between their ideals and the actual events in the play highlights the playwright's commentary on the limitations of idealistic thinking.

2.Class and Privilege:

The characters of Muriel and Leonora represent the idle rich who, in their pursuit of excitement, engage in idealistic endeavours. The play subtly addresses issues of class and privilege, suggesting that these idealists are insulated from the real challenges faced by society. Their ability to dabble in such pursuits as a form of entertainment underscores the detachment of the privileged class from the struggles of everyday life.

3.Deception and Cunning:

The play skillfully portrays the theme of deception. The escaped convict, Bill Syme, exhibits intelligence and cunning, manipulating Muriel and Leonora for his own benefit. This theme underscores the idea that even those who claim to be champions of justice and idealism can be easily deceived, especially when their idealism blinds them to practical considerations.

4.Satire on Intellectualism:

The term "bluestockings" traditionally refers to educated and intellectual women. The play satirises intellectualism by depicting Muriel and Leonora's interest in criminals as a form of intellectual pastime. The playwright seems to suggest that these intellectual pursuits may be shallow and disconnected from the real issues facing society.

Setting:

The scene takes place in a well-furnished room of a bungalow on Dartmoor, owned by two affluent young women, Muriel Armstrong and Leonora Astley. The room is modernist in style, indicating the characters' wealth and taste. The atmosphere is intensified by the dark night outside, heightened by drawn blinds. The stage is set with two doors (centre and right), windows on each side of the centre door, a fireplace on the left, a telephone on a table to the right of the centre door, a sideboard on the right wall, and an escritoire on the left wall.

Characters:

Muriel Armstrong:

Muriel is portrayed as someone who has big dreams and strong beliefs. She's really interested in criminals and doesn't like how the systems dealing with crime work. However, the play shows us that Muriel might not understand the real world very well. When faced with a real situation, her actions don't match her lofty ideals. This emphasises the idea that having big dreams is good, but it's also important to understand and deal with the practical aspects of life.

Leonora Astley:

Leonora is quite similar to Muriel. She's also wealthy and enjoys thinking about big ideas, but more as a form of entertainment than a serious pursuit. The play highlights that Leonora is easily influenced and tricked by the escaped convict. This suggests that individuals like Leonora, who are privileged and engage in idealistic pursuits, might lack a profound understanding of the complexities of the world. It's a commentary on how the idle rich might indulge in idealism without truly comprehending its real-world implications.

Bill Syme (the escaped convict):

Bill Syme is a centre character who embodies the artful and deceptive forces at play. He skillfully manipulates Muriel and Leonora, exploiting their idealism for his own benefit. The play underlines that intelligence and shrewdness are not confined to any particular moral belief. Bill Syme challenges the stereotype that people engaged in criminal activities lack intellectual depth. This character serves as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving and that one should be cautious in making judgments based on preconceived notions.

The Detective:

The detective adds another layer to the satire. Despite his over-empathetic authority and serious behaviour, he fails to raise suspicion in Muriel and Leonora. This character serves as a critique of individuals in positions of power who may not necessarily possess the competence or insight required to effectively address societal issues. The detective's ineffectiveness underscores the theme that those in authoritative roles might not always be provided to understand the complications of the real world.

Tell it not in Gath

 Introduction of Writer:

Joe Corrie was a Scottish miner, poet and playwright best known for his radical, working class plays. Shortly after the First World War, Corrie started writing. His articles, sketches, short stories and poems were published in prominent socialist newspapers and journals, including Forward and The Miner.

Corrie's volumes of poetry include,

The Image O' God and Other Poems (1927)

Rebel Poems (1932)

Scottish Pride and Other Poems (1955).

Character List:

The Rev. Arthur Welsey

Marjory, (Arthur’s wife)

Miss Oliver - 35 Year old 

Miss Crundle

Joseph Devinish - 55 year old - Singer 

Sam Marden - Gorcer , District Councelor & Chairman 

Summary:

This play succeeded admirably in its aim of showing the difference between word and deed (action), theory and practice. The method used is that of contrast and irony. The writer relentlessly exposes the spangle nature of bourgeois (middle class) values. The pose of moral superiority adopted by the pillars of society is simply a hypocritical facade. They slap their consciences to sleep where their personal interests are involved. We agree with the Rev. Arthur Welsey that mankind is a disappointment, but his behaviour, when he learns from his wife that she has won £20,000, makes one lose faith in all that is good and noble. The conclusion is driven home that man is basically weak and selfish. Money could indeed soil or destroy even a saint.

The writer has proved his thesis in a most realistic and dramatic manner. He brings together a group of respectable men and women in a newly-developed mining town, to discuss the fast-spreading social evil of gambling which has taken the form of foot-ball pools. Incidentally, it may be mentioned that foot-ball pools have become a craze and a flourishing racket in England.

As the play opens, we are introduced to the Rev. Arthur Welsey and his wife, Marjory. The stage directions make it clear that both of them are not happy. We are told that the Rector is "nearly sixty, with an unhappy, discontented face." His long spiritual quest has failed to give him calmness - peace, contentment and moral qualities that normally differ between two things or people a priest. Perhaps, he has been disillusioned by his experiences of life as a priest. In the same way, his wife is also not happy, and has the appearance of tiredness. 

MARJORY: What is this meeting about, anyway? Is it very important?

ARTHUR: [turning]. It's a meeting to discuss, I presume, this scourge of gambling which has contaminated the village since the coming of these miners. A most important matter, Marjory.

MARJORY: Oh - gambling

The opening scene in which we are informed about the meeting "of the new Community Council" pin-points the cause of this unhappiness. She is fed up with her life of drudgery - hard and boring work as they cannot afford a servant. She thinks that his church was in the way of their happiness. Even the miners earn more than her husband.

MARJORY: Are you aware? Arthur that many of these miners who have come to live in the village earn more than you do?

ARTHUR: Well, what of that?

MARJORY: And they don't have to have their wives enslaved to their work.

ARTHUR: [jumping up]. Enslaved!

 Their wives are not "enslaved to their work." Her desire is "to get free of the church and be a thousand miles from her." The same was true of her husband, if he could but "be honest about it." No wonder, the Rector, Arthur Welsey, unable to answer the charge, indulges in meaningless heroics.

MISS OLIVER: [to MISS CRUNDLE]. There's always a sense of peace comes over me when I come to the Rectory. Do you feel the same, Miss Crundle?

MISS CRUNDLE: Always, Miss Oliver always what I cal a blessed placidity. 

MISS OLIVER: Exactly, [to MARJORY] As if it would be impossible for anyone to want to quarrel, or even say a unkindly word, Mrs. Welsey.

MARJORY: [moving down right of the table, betraying nothing by the slightest expression]. Well, I I haven't thought of that really. [to ARTHUR] Have you, Arthur?

DEVINISH: Of course, that is why the atmosphere is so peaceful, Mr Welsey.

The first note of contrast is struck when the moralising members of the committee come and talk about "a sense of peace" that prevails in the Rectory. The entire dialogue here is a fine example of dramatic irony.

The progress of the meeting which has been called to consider gambling which has become so prevalent in our midst soon reveals the absurdity (stupidity) of their position. Sam Marden is the most vociferous (expressing your opinions or feelings in a loud and confident way) of them all and the most vociferous of them all and the useless, it appears. An ins (to show then I am more important than other peoples) and proud climber, he puts on the airs of a moralist in his opening speech; "we must" hold onto the good and put a stop to the bad." They all lament (something that has ended) the loss of peace and innocence in their small village due to the opening of the coal mine. They all recognise that 'it's our duty as members of this church, and church wardens, to put a stop to it-root and branch." Admirable sentiments! But when it comes to the question of belling the cat, Marden, the most vocal of them all, is unwilling to take the lead. For as it is, his prosperity (to success with help of money) is at stake. The Rector, too, does not want to antagonise the miners by complaining to the police. The hypocrisy (behaviour in which somebody pretends to have moral standards or opinions that he/she does not really have) of Sam Marden “chairman” of so many bodies, of Rev. Arthur Welsey, who "received a call to come here and preach the Word," and of the remaining three members, Joseph Devinish, Miss Oliver and Miss Crundle, is brought out realistically and forcefully. The dramatist's purpose seems to be to demonstrate that where self-interest is concerned, higher values of life are easily brushed aside even by those who consider themselves champions of public morals.

To make the situation all the more interesting and dramatic the playwright makes use of surprise, a time-honoured device in drama, As the discussion is growing tense and tempers flare up. these respectable citizens, church wardens and what not, behave in a very unseemly manner. At this a particular point in time, Marjory, all confusion and excitement, makes the announcement that,

MARJORY: But I... I have a very important message for Mr. Marden. His wife telephoned just now,

MARDEN: Wots' appened to 'er?

MARJORY: Nothing. It's It's good news for yourself.

MARDEN: Well, out with it then!

MARJORY: Old John, the sexton, has been looking for you to tell you that you've won twenty thousand pounds on one of those football coupon things.

MARDEN: Wot I a've?....Say that again, will you

MARJORY: Her message was that old John, the sexton, says you've won twenty thousand pounds on a football coupon.

Play moves on and all of sudden Marden starts behaving differently and more arrogant as he has 20,000 pounds in his hand. He starts ordering and showing the good side of gambling to other members. But other members want an explanation of what he has done and what he was saying but he has no words and also doesn't want to explain anything to anybody. 

MARDEN: You're forgettin', Mr. Welsey; that a man with twenty thousand pounds in the bank at my age can do anything, think anything, and say anything, and care nothing for anybody. 

And everyone wants him to leave this meeting as he offered them that he would donate some money to church on one condition that they have to give it in newspaper that,

Marden: But I'll make it easier for you, if you don't mind, by writing' out a cheque for a thousand pounds. Now, wot do you think of that, eh? A thousand pounds. 

But on one condition, and that the matter is reported in the Press. Sam Marden wants to leave Little Padley with the folk blessin' 'im for 'is generosity. 

So there you are, Mr. Welsey, a thousand pounds just for sayin' to the whole world that Sam Marden gave it for the good of the church out of 'is own goodness of 'eart.

But everyone wants him to leaves this meeting right now and he was also not interested in this meeting and discussion. Then everyone started leaving as they were criticising human values and thinking about how luck and fate work out for some bad People who didn't deserve such good things. One by one everyone leave the meeting then Arthur enter and sit quietly in room then Marjory came with the same excitement that, 

MARJORY: Arthur, my dear,....I have won, twenty thousand pounds. 

ARTHUR. You....you have....what?

MARJORY: I have won twenty thousand pounds for a shilling, Arthur - for a shilling only. 

Arthur and Marjory got too happy after that and start discussing what they will do with that money. They both have many dreams but they forget that they are the one who forgot that gambling is sin and they are the ones who are discussing and criticising Marden and villagers for gambling. Play come to an end with the discussion of,

MARJORY, Arthur, forgive me, but… looking at him apprehensively. Then slowly, a smile comes to his face. He puts his arms round her and kisses her on the cheek. 

MARJORY Oh, Arthur...you....you kissed me And now we drop the curtain because MARJORY is going to weep, and we had better not to tell it in Gath what ARTHUR is going to say.

Overall, the play serves as a critique of bourgeois values and societal hypocrisy, demonstrating how self-interest often trumps moral integrity, even among those who claim to uphold high principles. Through its exploration of gender roles, societal expectations, and the pursuit of financial gain, the play offers a compelling commentary on the complexities of human nature and the corrosive effects of wealth and privilege.

Themes:

Gender Mentality

Human Nature

Roll of Society

Rich and Poor

Mindset of Bourgeois (Middle Class People)

Money driven world

Gender Mentality:

Marjory, Rev. Arthur Welsey's wife, isn't happy with her life. She wants to break free from what society expects of her because she feels stuck doing things she doesn't like just because she's a woman. She's frustrated with her husband's job and how it affects their happiness. This shows how back then, women were often expected to do certain things and support their husband's careers without considering their own desires.

Human Nature:

The characters in the play show different sides of being human. They say one thing but do another. They can be selfish and ignore what they know is right, even though they pretend to be better than that. For example, Rev. Arthur Welsey doesn't follow his own teachings when he's tempted by money. This reveals that people aren't always as good as they seem and can be weak morally.

Role of Society:

The play criticises how society tells people how to behave, especially those in the middle class. It shows that even people in power can act differently from what they preach, showing a gap between their words and their actions.

Rich and Poor:

There's a big difference between the rich characters, who aren't very moral, and the poor characters, who seem more honest. Even though the rich have money and status, they don't always do what's right, while the poor, even though they have less, seem to have better values.

Mindset of the Bourgeois (Middle Class People):

The middle-class characters, like Rev. Arthur Welsey and Marjory, aren't happy with their lives even though they have some status. They want more money and status, which leads them to do things they shouldn't, like going against their own morals. This shows how wanting more can make people forget what's really important.

Money-Driven World:

Money plays a big role in the play. It influences what characters do and shows how easily people can give up their values for money. When they find out about a lot of money, they're willing to do things they normally wouldn't. This shows how money can change people and make them forget what's right.

Overall, the play shows how society's expectations, money, and the desire for status can make people act selfishly and forget what's important. It highlights the flaws in human nature and the problems with wealth and privilege.

Characters:

1)Rev. Arthur Welsey:

Rev. Arthur Welsey is shown as a sad and unhappy person, even though he's a clergyman. He seems to be struggling with feeling like he's not good enough, maybe because things aren't turning out the way he hoped. His main goal seems to be finding happiness and meaning, but he's having a hard time because he's disappointed and feeling confused about what he believes. As the play goes on, Rev. Welsey starts to see his own mistakes and weaknesses, which helps him understand himself and the world better. He represents the struggle between what people think is right and what actually happens in life. Rev. Welsey's character shows how tough it can be to stick to your beliefs when things don't go the way you expect.

2)Marjory (Arthur’s wife):

Marjory is shown as someone who's not happy with her life as a clergyman's wife. She feels trapped by society's expectations and wants to be free. Her main motivation is to have the freedom to be herself and make her own choices. Marjory's character grows stronger as she tries to break free from the roles society has set for her. She challenges what's expected of her and starts to find her own path. In the play, Marjory contrasts with Rev. Welsey, showing how traditional gender roles can limit people's freedom. She adds depth to the story by showing the struggle for independence and self-expression.

3)Miss Oliver:

Miss Oliver is described as calm and peaceful, even when things get chaotic during the meeting. She seems to want harmony and peace, even when there's conflict. Her character doesn't change much throughout the play, but she brings stability to the group. Her calmness helps balance out the strong emotions of the other characters. In the story, Miss Oliver represents peace and civility. She shows how people can appear calm on the outside, even if they're feeling different inside. Her character adds layers to the play by exploring how people present themselves versus how they truly feel.

4)Miss Crundle:

Miss Crundle is like Miss Oliver in staying calm during the meeting, even when there's tension. She seems to want peace and quiet, both for herself and for everyone else. Throughout the play, she stays the same, bringing a sense of peace to the group. Her calmness helps everyone feel more stable, even when things get intense. She shows how staying calm can make a difference, even in difficult situations. Her character adds layers to the play by showing how different people handle stress and conflict.

5)Joseph Devinish:

Joseph Devinish is a bold and outspoken character, always sharing his opinions confidently. He seems to want to shake up the group's way of thinking. Throughout the play, he stays true to himself, always speaking his mind and questioning things. He plays an important role in making the group think more deeply about their beliefs and actions. Joseph challenges them to consider whether they're being honest with themselves. He helps to uncover the hypocrisy and moral decay that exist within the group, pushing them to confront uncomfortable truths.

   

6)Sam Marden

Sam Marden comes across as confident and ambitious, often asserting his authority and superiority over others. His newfound wealth seems to fuel his desire for power and validation. As the story progresses, Sam becomes even more arrogant and dismissive of those around him. His sense of entitlement grows, causing conflicts within the group. Sam's character serves as a reminder of how wealth and power can corrupt individuals, leading them to prioritize their own interests over ethical behaviour. He highlights the moral decay and hypocrisy present in society, especially among those who value mat

erial wealth above all else. Sam's role in the play emphasises the importance of integrity and humility in the face of temptation and greed.