Customer Reviews

Tea and Sympathy: A Drama in Three Acts

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Anderson's 1953 drama in three acts proves a powerful indictment against macho prejudice and a subtle warning to society to accept the "off-horse" with humane tolerance. Set in a boys' boarding school in New England, this story unfolds in the home of a teacher (master), middle aged Bill Reynolds, who revels in his residents' athletic prowess. Laura, his 24-year old bride, gradually realizes that he is not the same, vulnerable man whom she met and fell in love with in Italy. He seems to prefer the masculine company of the guys to spending quality time with her. Her only friend, Lilly, is also a former actress, but this gal revels in the lascivious attention of the jocks.

Tom, one of the boys in this house is just 17, sensitive by nature and lonely in the extreme. Totally out of place with the butch fellows who sport crew cuts. To further emphasize Tom's not fitting in. a tennis star in his own right, he prefers poetry and playing women's roles in amateur theatricals. When he is reported at a beach in the buff with a school master, rumors abound that he is gay; Tom is suddenly the butt of nasty thoughts, snide remarks and social ostracism.

As the wife of a master Laura is merely expected to offer tea and sympathy to the resident boys in her home, to set a genteel tone in the parlor. But something about Tom arouses more than her sympathy--escalating to fascination and ultimately desire, on both sides. In order

to counter the ugly rumors about his being homosexual---based on the flimsiest of proof--Tom rashly makes a date with a trampy girl, hoping to get a reputation as a regular guy. The scheme backfires to the boy's mortification. Equally eager to establish Tom's manhood Laura takes matters into her own hands, but how far will she go to soothe his ego

and repair his campus image? Either way his reputation is shattered and he faces expulsion, at least from the house if the not the school itself. In a dramatic stroke of genius Anderson's presents a climax of literary irony, for the young man who is scorned for being gay, has a secret (and successful) affair with the wife of his chief tormentor. This is a gripping drama of hearts in torment set agaisnt the harsh realities of 50's social stigma. Emotionally relevant in the 21st century.

A really unusual play, not so much in terms of highlighting, as the user noted above, the hardships of homosexuals. But in that the character isn't actually homosexual, although even he is not entirely sure at times. These characters are blindingly vivid, you actually see them. In a way a play criticizing, not only humanity for it's intolorance, but particularly men who often have a much tighter mold they must fit in order to be considered normal. The ending is especially effective, although in reading it you must be able to visualize. There is a pretty good film version with Deborah Kerr if you really enjoy it.

this book is amazing. it shows the struggles a young bou has to go through when in a prep school for yale. and how just because he has long hair and isnt afraid to show his emotions, his peers automatically label him a "queer". the hardships he has to go through are jst terrible. and it gives the reader a point to see the tradgedy that can go on in the life of homosexuals. if your coming out of the closet, or just don't understand the torments that homosexuals have to tolerate, this book is a must read.