MaxHalbe’sJUGEND*andWedekind’sFRUHLING’SERWACHEN**aredramaswhichhavedisseminatedradicalthoughtinanaltogetherdifferentdirection。TheytreatofthechildandthedenseignoranceandnarrowPuritanismthatmeettheawakeningofnature。ParticularlythisistrueofFRUHLING’SERWACHEN。Youngboysandgirlssacrificedonthealtaroffalseeducationandofoursickeningmoralitythatprohibitstheenlightenmentofyouthastoquestionssoimperativetothehealthandwell-beingofsociety，——theoriginoflife，anditsfunctions。Itshowshowamother——andatrulygoodmother，atthat——keepsherfourteen-year-olddaughterinabsoluteignoranceastoallmattersofsex，andwhenfinallytheyounggirlfallsavictimtoherownignorance，thesamemotherseesherdaughterkilledbyquackmedicines。Theinscriptiononhergravestatesthatshediedofanaemia，andmoralityissatisfied——
　　*YOUTH。
　　**THEAWAKENINGOFSPRING——
　　ThefatalityofourPuritanichypocrisyinthesemattersisespeciallyilluminedbyWedekindinsofarasourmostpromisingchildrenfallvictimstosexignoranceandtheutterlackofappreciationonthepartoftheteachersofthechild’sawakening。
　　Wendla，unusuallydevelopedandalertforherage，pleadswithhermothertoexplainthemysteryoflife:
　　"Ihaveasisterwhohasbeenmarriedfortwoandahalfyears。I
　　myselfhavebeenmadeanauntforthethirdtime，andIhaven’ttheleastideahowitallcomesabout……Don’tbecross，Mother，dear！WhomintheworldshouldIaskbutyou？Don’tscoldmeforaskingaboutit。Givemeananswer——Howdoesithappen？——YoucannotreallydeceiveyourselfthatI，whoamfourteenyearsold，stillbelieveinthestork。"
　　Werehermotherherselfnotavictimoffalsenotionsofmorality，anaffectionateandsensibleexplanationmighthavesavedherdaughter。
　　Buttheconventionalmotherseekstohideher"moral"shameandembarrassmentinthisevasivereply:
　　"Inordertohaveachild——onemustlove——theman——towhomoneismarried……Onemustlovehim，Wendla，asyouatyouragearestillunabletolove——Nowyouknowit！"
　　HowmuchWendla"knew"themotherrealizedtoolate。Thepregnantgirlimaginesherselfillwithdropsy。Andwhenhermothercriesindesperation，"Youhaven’tthedropsy，youhaveachild，girl，"theagonizedWendlaexclaimsinbewilderment:"Butit’snotpossible，Mother，Iamnotmarriedyet……Oh，Mother，whydidn’tyoutellmeeverything？"
　　WithequalstupiditytheboyMorrisisdriventosuicidebecausehefailsinhisschoolexaminations。AndMelchior，theyouthfulfatherofWendla’sunbornchild，issenttotheHouseofCorrection，hisearlysexualawakeningstampinghimadegenerateintheeyesofteachersandparents。
　　ForyearsthoughtfulmenandwomeninGermanyhadadvocatedthecompellingnecessityofsexenlightenment。MUTTERSCHUTZ，apublicationspeciallydevotedtofrankandintelligentdiscussionofthesexproblem，hasbeencarryingonitsagitationforaconsiderabletime。ButitremainedforthedramaticgeniusofWedekindtoinfluenceradicalthoughttotheextentofforcingtheintroductionofsexphysiologyinmanyschoolsofGermany。
　　Scandinavia，likeGermany，wasadvancedthroughthedramamuchmorethanthroughanyotherchannel。LongbeforeIbsenappearedonthescene，Bjornson，thegreatessayist，thunderedagainsttheinequalitiesandinjusticeprevalentinthosecountries。Buthiswasavoiceinthewilderness，reachingbutthefew。NotsowithIbsen。
　　HisBRAND，DOLL’SHOUSE，PILLARSOFSOCIETY，GHOSTS，andANENEMYOF
　　THEPEOPLEhaveconsiderablyunderminedtheoldconceptions，andreplacedthembyamodernandrealviewoflife。OnehasbuttoreadBRANDtorealizethemodernconception，letussay，ofreligion，——religion，asanidealtobeachievedonearth；religionasaprincipleofhumanbrotherhood，ofsolidarity，andkindness。
　　Ibsen，thesupremehaterofallsocialshams，hastorntheveilofhypocrisyfromtheirfaces。Hisgreatestonslaught，however，isonthefourcardinalpointssupportingtheflimsynetworkofsociety。
　　First，thelieuponwhichreststhelifeoftoday；second，thefutilityofsacrificeaspreachedbyourmoralcodes；third，pettymaterialconsideration，whichistheonlygodthemajorityworships；
　　andfourth，thedeadeninginfluenceofprovincialism。ThesefourrecurastheLEITMOTIFinIbsen’splays，butparticularlyinPILLARS
　　OFSOCIETY，DOLL’SHOUSE，GHOSTS，andANENEMYOFTHEPEOPLE。
　　PillarsofSociety！Whatatremendousindictmentagainstthesocialstructurethatrestsonrottenanddecayedpillars，——pillarsnicelygildedandapparentlyintact，yetmerelyhidingtheirtruecondition。
　　Andwhatarethesepillars？
　　ConsulBernick，attheveryheightofhissocialandfinancialcareer，thebenefactorofhistownandthestrongestpillarofthecommunity，hasreachedthesummitthroughthechanneloflies，deception，andfraud。Hehasrobbedhisbosomfriend，Johann，ofhisgoodname，andhasbetrayedLonaHessel，thewomanheloved，tomarryherstep-sisterforthesakeofhermoney。Hehasenrichedhimselfbyshadytransactions，undercoverof"thecommunity’sgood，"andfinallyevengoestotheextentofendangeringhumanlifebypreparingtheINDIANGIRL，arottenanddangerousvessel，togotosea。
　　ButthereturnofLonabringshimtherealizationoftheemptinessandmeannessofhisnarrowlife。Heseekstoplacatethewakingconsciencebythehopethathehasclearedthegroundforthebetterlifeofhisson，ofthenewgeneration。Buteventhislasthopesoonfallstotheground，asherealizesthattruthcannotbebuiltonalie。Attheverymomentwhenthewholetownispreparedtocelebratethegreatbenefactorofthecommunitywithbanquetpraise，hehimself，nowgrowntofullspiritualmanhood，confessestotheassembledtownspeople:
　　"Ihavenorighttothishomage……Myfellow-citizensmustknowmetothecore。Thenleteveryoneexaminehimself，andletusrealizethepredictionthatfromthiseventwebeginanewtime。Theold，withitstinsel，itshypocrisy，itshollowness，itslyingpropriety，anditspitifulcowardice，shallliebehinduslikeamuseum，openforinstruction。"
　　WithADOLL’SHOUSEIbsenhaspavedthewayforwoman’semancipation。
　　Noraawakensfromherdoll’sroletotherealizationoftheinjusticedoneherbyherfatherandherhusband，HelmerTorvald。
　　"WhileIwasathomewithfather，heusedtotellmeallhisopinions，andIheldthesameopinions。IfIhadothersIconcealedthem，becausehewouldnothaveapproved。Heusedtocallmehisdollchild，andplaywithmeasIplayedwithmydolls。ThenIcametoliveinyourhouse。Yousettledeverythingaccordingtoyourtaste，andIgotthesametasteasyou，orIpretendedto。WhenI
　　lookbackonitnow，Iseemtohavebeenlivinglikeabeggar，fromhandtomouth。Ilivedbyperformingtricksforyou，Torvald，butyouwouldhaveitso。Youandfatherhavedonemeagreatwrong。"
　　InvainHelmerusestheoldphilistineargumentsofwifelydutyandsocialobligations。Norahasgrownoutofherdoll’sdressintofullstatureofconsciouswomanhood。Sheisdeterminedtothinkandjudgeforherself。Shehasrealizedthat，beforeallelse，sheisahumanbeing，owingthefirstdutytoherself。Sheisundauntedevenbythepossibilityofsocialostracism。Shehasbecomescepticalofthejusticeofthelaw，thewisdomoftheconstituted。Herrebellingsoulrisesinprotestagainsttheexisting。Inherownwords:"I
　　mustmakeupmymindwhichisright，societyorI。"
　　Inherchildlikefaithinherhusbandshehadhopedforthegreatmiracle。Butitwasnotthedisappointedhopethatopenedhervisiontothefalsehoodsofmarriage。ItwasratherthesmugcontentmentofHelmerwithasafelie——onethatwouldremainhiddenandnotendangerhissocialstanding。
　　WhenNoraclosedbehindherthedoorofhergildedcageandwentoutintotheworldanew，regeneratedpersonality，sheopenedthegateoffreedomandtruthforherownsexandtheracetocome。
　　Morethananyotherplay，GHOSTShasactedlikeabombexplosion，shakingthesocialstructuretoitsveryfoundations。
　　InDOLL’SHOUSEthejustificationoftheunionbetweenNoraandHelmerrestedatleastonthehusband’sconceptionofintegrityandrigidadherencetooursocialmorality。Indeed，hewastheconventionalidealhusbandanddevotedfather。NotsoinGHOSTS。
　　Mrs。AlvingmarriedCaptainAlvingonlytofindthathewasaphysicalandmentalwreck，andthatlifewithhimwouldmeanutterdegradationandbefataltopossibleoffspring。Inherdespairsheturnedtoheryouth’scompanion，youngPastorManderswho，asthetruesaviorofsoulsforheaven，mustneedsbeindifferenttoearthlynecessities。Hesentherbacktoshameanddegradation，——toherdutiestohusbandandhome。Indeed，happiness——tohim——wasbuttheunholymanifestationofarebelliousspirit，andawife’sdutywasnottojudge，but"tobearwithhumilitythecrosswhichahigherpowerhadforyourowngoodlaiduponyou。"
　　Mrs。Alvingborethecrossfortwenty-sixlongyears。Notforthesakeofthehigherpower，butforherlittlesonOswald，whomshelongedtosavefromthepoisonousatmosphereofherhusband’shome。
　　Itwasalsoforthesakeofthebelovedsonthatshesupportedthelieofhisfather’sgoodness，insuperstitiousaweof"dutyanddecency。"Shelearned，alas！toolate，thatthesacrificeofherentirelifehadbeeninvain，andthathersonOswaldwasvisitedbythesinsofhisfather，thathewasirrevocablydoomed。This，too，shelearned，that"weareallofusghosts。Itisnotonlywhatwehaveinheritedfromourfatherandmotherthatwalksinus。Itisallsortsofdeadideasandlifelessoldbeliefs。Theyhavenovitality，buttheyclingtousallthesameandwecan’tgetridofthem……Andthenweare，oneandall，sopitifullyafraidoflight。WhenyouforcedmeundertheyokeyoucalledDutyandObligation；whenyoupraisedasrightandproperwhatmywholesoulrebelledagainstassomethingloathsome；itwasthenthatIbegantolookintotheseamsofyourdoctrine。Ionlywishedtopickatasingleknot，butwhenIhadgotthatundone，thewholethingravelledout。AndthenIunderstoodthatitwasallmachine-sewn。"
　　Howcouldasocietymachine-sewn，fathomtheseethingdepthswhenceissuedthegreatmasterpieceofHenrikIbsen？Itcouldnotunderstand，andthereforeitpouredthevialsofabuseandvenomuponitsgreatestbenefactor。ThatIbsenwasnotdauntedhehasprovedbyhisreplyinANENEMYOFTHEPEOPLE。
　　InthatgreatdramaIbsenperformsthelastfuneralritesoveradecayinganddyingsocialsystem。Outofitsashesrisestheregeneratedindividual，theboldanddaringrebel。Dr。Stockman，anidealist，fullofsocialsympathyandsolidarity，iscalledtohisnativetownasthephysicianofthebaths。Hesoondiscoversthatthelatterarebuiltonaswamp，andthatinsteadoffindingreliefthepatients，whoflocktotheplace，arebeingpoisoned。
　　Anhonestman，ofstrongconvictions，thedoctorconsidersithisdutytomakehisdiscoveryknown。Buthesoonlearnsthatdividendsandprofitsareconcernedneitherwithhealthnorprinciples。Eventhereformersofthetown，representedinthePEOPLE’SMESSENGER，alwaysreadytoprateoftheirdevotiontothepeople，withdrawtheirsupportfromthe"reckless"idealist，themomenttheylearnthatthedoctor’sdiscoverymaybringthetownintodisrepute，andthusinjuretheirpockets。
　　ButDoctorStockmancontinuesinthefaithheentertainsforhastownsmen。Theywouldhearhim。Buthere，too，hesoonfindshimselfalone。Hecannotevensecureaplacetoproclaimhisgreattruth。
　　Andwhenhefinallysucceeds，heisoverwhelmedbyabuseandridiculeastheenemyofthepeople。Thedoctor，soenthusiasticofhistownspeople’sassistancetoeradicatetheevil，issoondriventoasolitaryposition。Theannouncementofhisdiscoverywouldresultinapecuniarylosstothetown，andthatconsiderationinducestheofficials，thegoodcitizens，andsoulreformers，tostiflethevoiceoftruth。Hefindsthemallacompactmajority，unscrupulousenoughtobewillingtobuilduptheprosperityofthetownonaquagmireofliesandfraud。Heisaccusedoftryingtoruinthecommunity。Buttohismind"itdoesnotmatterifalyingcommunityisruined。Itmustbelevelledtotheground。Allmenwholiveuponliesmustbeexterminatedlikevermin。You’llbringittosuchapassthatthewholecountrywilldeservetoperish。"
　　DoctorStockmanisnotapracticalpolitician。Afreeman，hethinks，mustnotbehavelikeablackguard。"Hemustnotsoactthathewouldspitinhisownface。"Foronlycowardspermit"considerations"ofpretendedgeneralwelfareorofpartytooverridetruthandideals。"Partyprogrammeswringthenecksofallyoung，livingtruths；andconsiderationsofexpediencyturnmoralityandrighteousnessupsidedown，untillifeissimplyhideous。"
　　TheseplaysofIbsen——THEPILLARSOFSOCIETY，ADOLL’SHOUSE，GHOSTS，andANENEMYOFTHEPEOPLE——constituteadynamicforcewhichisgraduallydissipatingtheghostswalkingthesocialburyinggroundcalledcivilization。Nay，more；Ibsen’sdestructiveeffectsareatthesametimesupremelyconstructive，forhenotmerelyunderminesexistingpillars；indeed，hebuildswithsurestrokesthefoundationofahealthier，idealfuture，basedonthesovereigntyoftheindividualwithinasympatheticsocialenvironment。
　　Englandwithhergreatpioneersofradicalthought，theintellectualpilgrimslikeGodwin，RobertOwen，Darwin，Spencer，WilliamMorris，andscoresofothers；withherwonderfullarksofliberty——Shelley，Byron，Keats——isanotherexampleoftheinfluenceofdramaticart。
　　Withincomparativelyafewyears，thedramaticworksofShaw，Pinero，Galsworthy，RannKennedy，havecarriedradicalthoughttotheearsformerlydeafeventoGreatBritain’swondrouspoets。ThusapublicwhichwillremainindifferentreadinganessaybyRobertOwen，onPoverty，orignoreBernardShaw’sSocialistictracts，wasmadetothinkbyMAJORBARBARA，whereinpovertyisdescribedasthegreatestcrimeofChristiancivilization。"Povertymakespeopleweak，slavish，puny；povertycreatesdisease，crime，prostitution；infine，povertyisresponsibleforalltheillsandevilsoftheworld。"
　　Povertyalsonecessitatesdependency，charitableorganizations，institutionsthatthriveofftheverythingtheyaretryingtodestroy。TheSalvationArmy，forinstance，asshowninMAJOR
　　BARBARA，fightsdrunkenness；yetoneofitsgreatestcontributorsisBadger，awhiskeydistiller，whofurnishesyearlythousandsofpoundstodoawaywiththeverysourceofhiswealth。BernardShaw，therefore，concludesthattheonlyrealbenefactorofsocietyisamanlikeUndershaft，Barbara’sfather，acannonmanufacturer，whosetheoryoflifeisthatpowderisstrongerthanwords。
　　"Theworstofcrimes，"saysUndershaft，"ispoverty。Alltheothercrimesarevirtuesbesideit；alltheotherdishonorsarechivalryitselfbycomparison。Povertyblightswholecities；spreadshorriblepestilences；strikesdeadtheverysoulofallwhocomewithinsight，sound，orsmellofit。Whatyoucallcrimeisnothing；amurderhere，atheftthere，ablownowandacursethere:whatdotheymatter？Theyareonlytheaccidentsandillnessesoflife；therearenotfiftygenuineprofessionalcriminalsinLondon。Buttherearemillionsofpoorpeople，abjectpeople，dirtypeople，ill-fed，ill-clothedpeople。Theypoisonusmorallyandphysically；theykillthehappinessofsociety；theyforceustodoawaywithourownlibertiesandtoorganizeunnaturalcrueltiesforfeartheyshouldriseagainstusanddragusdownintotheirabyss……Povertyandslaveryhavestoodupforcenturiestoyoursermonsandleadingarticles；theywillnotstanduptomymachineguns。Don’tpreachatthem；don’treasonwiththem。Killthem……Itisthefinaltestofconviction，theonlyleverstrongenoughtooverturnasocialsystem……Vote！Bah！Whenyouvote，youonlychangethenameofthecabinet。Whenyoushoot，youpulldowngovernments，inauguratenewepochs，abolisholdorders，andsetupnew。"
　　NowonderpeoplecaredlittletoreadMr。Shaw’sSocialistictracts。
　　Innootherwaybutinthedramacouldhedeliversuchforcible，historictruths。AndthereforeitisonlythroughthedramathatMr。
　　Shawisarevolutionaryfactorinthedisseminationofradicalideas。
　　AfterHauptmann’sDIEWEBER，STRIFE，byGalsworthy，isthemostimportantlabordrama。
　　ThethemeofSTRIFEisastrikewithtwodominantfactors:Anthony，thepresidentofthecompany，rigid，uncompromising，unwillingtomaketheslightestconcession，althoughthemenheldoutformonthsandareinaconditionofsemi-starvation；andDavidRoberts，anuncompromisingrevolutionist，whosedevotiontotheworkingmanandthecauseoffreedomisatwhiteheat。Betweenthemthestrikersarewornandwearywiththeterriblestruggle，andareharassedanddrivenbytheawfulsightofpovertyandwantintheirfamilies。
　　ThemostmarvellousandbrilliantpieceofworkinSTRIFEisGalsworthy’sportrayalofthemob，itsfickleness，andlackofbackbone。OnemomenttheyapplaudoldThomas，whospeaksofthepowerofGodandreligionandadmonishesthemenagainstrebellion；
　　thenextinstanttheyarecarriedawaybyawalkingdelegate，whopleadsthecauseoftheunion，——theunionthatalwaysstandsforcompromise，andwhichforsakestheworkingmenwhenevertheydaretostrikeforindependentdemands；againtheyareaglowwiththeearnestness，thespirit，andtheintensityofDavidRoberts——allthesepeoplewillingtogoinwhateverdirectionthewindblows。Itisthecurseoftheworkingclassthattheyalwaysfollowlikesheepledtoslaughter。
　　Consistencyisthegreatestcrimeofourcommercialage。Nomatterhowintensethespiritorhowimportanttheman，themomenthewillnotallowhimselftobeusedorsellhisprinciples，heisthrownonthedustheap。Suchwasthefateofthepresidentofthecompany，Anthony，andofDavidRoberts。Tobesuretheyrepresentedoppositepoles——polesantagonistictoeachother，polesdividedbyaterriblegapthatcanneverbebridgedover。Yettheysharedacommonfate。
　　Anthonyistheembodimentofconservatism，ofoldideas，ofironmethods:
　　"Ihavebeenchairmanofthiscompanythirty-twoyears。Ihavefoughtthemenfourtimes。Ihaveneverbeendefeated。Ithasbeensaidthattimeshavechanged。Iftheyhave，Ihavenotchangedwiththem。Ithasbeensaidthatmastersandmenareequal。Cant。Therecanbeonlyonemasterinahouse。IthasbeensaidthatCapitalandLaborhavethesameinterests。Cant。Theirinterestsareaswideasunderasthepoles。Thereisonlyonewayoftreatingmen——withtheironrod。Mastersaremasters。Menaremen。"
　　Wemaynotlikethisadherencetoold，reactionarynotions，andyetthereissomethingadmirableinthecourageandconsistencyofthisman，norishehalfasdangeroustotheinterestsoftheoppressed，asoursentimentalandsoftreformerswhorobwithninefingers，andgivelibrarieswiththetenth；whogrindhumanbeingslikeRussellSage，andthenspendmillionsofdollarsinsocialresearchwork；whoturnbeautifulyoungplantsintofadedoldwomen，andthengivethemafewpaltrydollarsorfoundaHomeforWorkingGirls。Anthonyisaworthyfoe；andtofightsuchafoe，onemustlearntomeethiminopenbattle。
　　DavidRobertshasallthementalandmoralattributesofhisadversary，coupledwiththespiritofrevolt，andthedepthofmodernideas。He，too，isconsistent，andwantsnothingforhisclassshortofcompletevictory。
　　"Itisnotforthislittlemomentoftimewearefighting，notforourownlittlebodiesandtheirwarmth；itisforallthosewhocomeafter，foralltimes。Oh，men，fortheloveofthemdon’tturnupanotherstoneontheirheads，don’thelptoblackenthesky。Ifwecanshakethatwhite-facedmonsterwiththebloodylipsthathassuckedthelivesoutofourselves，ourwives，andchildren，sincetheworldbegan，ifwehavenottheheartsofmentostandagainstit，breasttobreastandeyetoeye，andforceitbackwardtillitcryformercy，itwillgoonsuckinglife，andweshallstayforeverwhereweare，lessthantheverydogs。"
　　Itisinevitablethatcompromiseandpettyinterestshouldpassonandleavetwosuchgiantsbehind。Inevitable，untilthemasswillreachthestatureofaDavidRoberts。Willitever？Prophecyisnotthevocationofthedramatist，yetthemorallessonisevident。Onecannothelprealizingthattheworkingmenwillhavetousemethodshithertounfamiliartothem；thattheywillhavetodiscardallthoseelementsintheirmidstthatareforeverreadytoreconciletheirreconcilable，namelyCapitalandLabor。TheywillhavetolearnthatcharacterslikeDavidRobertsaretheveryforcesthathaverevolutionizedtheworldandthuspavedthewayforemancipationoutoftheclutchesofthat"white-facedmonsterwithbloodylips，"
　　towardsabrighterhorizon，afreerlife，andadeeperrecognitionofhumanvalues。
　　Nosubjectofequalsocialimporthasreceivedsuchextensiveconsiderationwithinthelastfewyearsasthequestionofprisonandpunishment。
　　Hardlyanymagazineofconsequencethathasnotdevoteditscolumnstothediscussionofthisvitaltheme。Anumberofbooksbyablewriters，bothinAmericaandabroad，havediscussedthistopicfromthehistoric，psychologic，andsocialstandpoint，allagreeingthatpresentpenalinstitutionsandourmodeofcopingwithcrimehaveineveryrespectprovedinadequateaswellaswasteful。Onewouldexpectthatsomethingveryradicalshouldresultfromthecumulativeliteraryindictmentofthesocialcrimesperpetratedupontheprisoner。Yetwiththeexceptionofafewminorandcomparativelyinsignificantreformsinsomeofourprisons，absolutelynothinghasbeenaccomplished。ButatlastthisgravesocialwronghasfounddramaticinterpretationinGalworthy’sJUSTICE。
　　TheplayopensintheofficeofJamesHowandSons，Solicitors。Theseniorclerk，RobertCokeson，discoversthatacheckhehadissuedforninepoundshasbeenforgedtoninety。Byelimination，suspicionfallsuponWilliamFalder，thejuniorofficeclerk。Thelatterisinlovewithamarriedwoman，theabused，ill-treatedwifeofabrutaldrunkard。Pressedbyhisemployer，asevereyetnotunkindlyman，Falderconfessestheforgery，pleadingthedirenecessityofhissweetheart，RuthHoneywill，withwhomhehadplannedtoescapetosaveherfromtheunbearablebrutalityofherhusband。
　　NotwithstandingtheentreatiesofyoungWalter，whoistouchedbymodernideas，hisfather，amoralandlaw-respectingcitizen，turnsFalderovertothepolice。
　　Thesecondact，inthecourt-room，showsJusticeintheveryprocessofmanufacture。ThesceneequalsindramaticpowerandpsychologicveritythegreatcourtsceneinRESURRECTION。YoungFalder，anervousandratherweaklyyouthoftwenty-three，standsbeforethebar。Ruth，hismarriedsweetheart，fullofloveanddevotion，burnswithanxietytosavetheyoungmanwhoseaffectionbroughtabouthispresentpredicament。TheyoungmanisdefendedbyLawyerFrome，whosespeechtothejuryisamasterpieceofdeepsocialphilosophywreathedwiththetendrilsofhumanunderstandingandsympathy。HedoesnotattempttodisputethemerefactofFalderhavingalteredthecheck；andthoughhepleadstemporaryaberrationindefenseofhisclient，thatpleaisbaseduponasocialconsciousnessasdeepandall-embracingastherootsofoursocialills——"thebackgroundoflife，thatpalpitatinglifewhichalwaysliesbehindthecommissionofacrime。"HeshowsFaldertohavefacedthealternativeofseeingthebelovedwomanmurderedbyherbrutalhusband，whomshecannotdivorce；oroftakingthelawintohisownhands。Thedefencepleadswiththejurynottoturntheweakyoungmanintoacriminalbycondemninghimtoprison，for"justiceisamachinethat，whensomeonehasgivenitastartingpush，rollsonofitself……Isthisyoungmantobegroundtopiecesunderthismachineforanactwhich，attheworst，wasoneofweakness？Ishetobecomeamemberofthelucklesscrewsthatmanthosedark，ill-starredshipscalledprisons？……Iurgeyou，gentlemen，donotruinthisyoungman。
　　Forasaresultofthosefourminutes，ruin，utterandirretrievable，stareshimintheface……TherollingofthechariotwheelsofJusticeoverthisboybeganwhenitwasdecidedtoprosecutehim。"
　　ButthechariotofJusticerollsmercilesslyon，for——asthelearnedJudgesays——"thelawiswhatitis——amajesticedifice，shelteringallofus，eachstoneofwhichrestsonanother。"
　　Falderissentencedtothreeyears’penalservitude。
　　Inprison，theyoung，inexperiencedconvictsoonfindshimselfthevictimoftheterrible"system。"TheauthoritiesadmitthatyoungFalderismentallyandphysically"inbadshape，"butnothingcanbedoneinthematter:manyothersareinasimilarposition，and"thequartersareinadequate。"
　　Thethirdsceneofthethirdactisheart-grippinginitssilentforce。Thewholesceneisapantomime，takingplaceinFalder’sprisoncell。
　　"Infast-fallingdaylight，Falder，inhisstockings，isseenstandingmotionless，withhisheadinclinedtowardsthedoor，listening。Hemovesalittleclosertothedoor，hisstockingedfeetmakingnonoise。Hestopsatthedoor。Heistryingharderandhardertohearsomething，anylittlethingthatisgoingonoutside。Hespringssuddenlyupright——asifatasound——andremainsperfectlymotionless。
　　Then，withaheavysigh，hemovestohiswork，andstandslookingatit，withhisheaddown；hedoesastitchortwo，havingtheairofamansolostinsadnessthateachstitchis，asitwere，acomingtolife。Then，turningabruptly，hebeginspacinghiscell，movinghishead，likeananimalpacingitscage。Hestopsagainatthedoor，listens，and，placingthepalmsofhishandsagainstitwithhisfingersspreadout，leanshisforeheadagainsttheiron。Turningfromit，presently，hemovesslowlybacktowardsthewindow，holdinghishead，asifhefeltthatitweregoingtoburst，andstopsunderthewindow。Butsincehecannotseeoutofitheleavesofflooking，and，pickingupthelidofoneofthetins，peersintoit，asiftryingtomakeacompanionofhisownface。Ithasgrownverynearlydark。Suddenlythelidfallsoutofhishandwithaclatter——theonlysoundthathasbrokenthesilence——andhestandsstaringintentlyatthewallwherethestuffoftheshirtishangingratherwhiteinthedarkness——heseemstobeseeingsomebodyorsomethingthere。Thereisasharptapandclick；thecelllightbehindtheglassscreenhasbeenturnedup。Thecellisbrightlylighted。
　　Falderisseengaspingforbreath。
　　Asoundfromfaraway，asofdistant，dullbeatingonthickmetal，issuddenlyaudible。Faldershrinksback，notabletobearthissuddenclamor。Butthesoundgrows，asthoughsomegreattumbrilwererollingtowardsthecell。Andgraduallyitseemstohypnotizehim。
　　Hebeginscreepinginchbyinchnearertothedoor。Thebangingsound，travelingfromcelltocell，drawscloserandcloser；Falder’shandsareseenmovingasifhisspirithadalreadyjoinedinthisbeating，andthesoundswellstillitseemstohaveenteredtheverycell。Hesuddenlyraiseshisclenchedfists。Pantingviolently，heflingshimselfathisdoor，andbeatsonit。"
　　FinallyFalderleavestheprison，abrokenticket-of-leaveman，thestampoftheconvictuponhisbrow，theironofmiseryinhissoul。
　　ThankstoRuth’spleading，thefirmofJamesHowandSoniswillingtotakeFalderbackintheiremploy，onconditionthathegiveupRuth。ItisthenthatFalderlearnstheawfulnewsthatthewomanheloveshadbeendrivenbythemercilesseconomicMolochtosellherself。She"triedmakingskirts……cheapthings……Inevermademorethantenshillingsaweek，buyingmyowncotton，andworkingallday。Ihardlyevergottobedtillpasttwelve……
　　Andthen……myemployerhappened——he’shappenedeversince。"Atthisterriblepsychologicmomentthepoliceappeartodraghimbacktoprisonforfailingtoreporthimselfasticket-of-leaveman。
　　Completelyoverwhelmedbytheinexorabilityofhisenvironment，youngFalderseeksandfindspeace，greaterthanhumanjustice，bythrowinghimselfdowntodeath，asthedetectivesaretakinghimbacktoprison。
　　Itwouldbeimpossibletoestimatetheeffectproducedbythisplay。
　　PerhapssomeconceptioncanbegainedfromtheveryunusualcircumstancethatithadprovedsopowerfulastoinducetheHomeSecretaryofGreatBritaintoundertakeextensiveprisonreformsinEngland。Averyencouragingsignthis，oftheinfluenceexertedbythemoderndrama。ItistobehopedthatthethunderingindictmentofMr。GalsworthywillnotremainwithoutsimilareffectuponthepublicsentimentandprisonconditionsofAmerica。Atanyrate，itiscertainthatnoothermodernplayhasbornesuchdirectandimmediatefruitinwakeningthesocialconscience。
　　Anothermodernplay，THESERVANTINTHEHOUSE，strikesavitalkeyinoursociallife。TheheroofMr。Kennedy’smasterpieceisRobert，acoarse，filthydrunkard，whomrespectablesocietyhasrepudiated。
　　Robert，thesewercleaner，istherealherooftheplay；nay，itstrueandonlysavior。Itishewhovolunteerstogodownintothedangeroussewer，sothathiscomrades"can’avelightandair。"
　　Afterall，hashenotsacrificedhislifealways，sothatothersmayhavelightandair？
　　Thethoughtthatlaboristheredeemerofsocialwell-beinghasbeencriedfromthehousetopsineverytongueandeveryclime。YetthesimplewordsofRobertexpressthesignificanceoflaboranditsmissionwithfargreaterpotency。
　　Americaisstillinitsdramaticinfancy。Mostoftheattemptsalongthislinetomirrorlife，havebeenwretchedfailures。Still，therearehopefulsignsintheattitudeoftheintelligentpublictowardmodernplays，eveniftheybefromforeignsoil。
　　TheonlyrealdramaAmericahassofarproducedisTHEEASIESTWAY，byEugeneWalter。
　　Itissupposedtorepresenta"peculiarphase"ofNewYorklife。Ifthatwereall，itwouldbeofminorsignificance。Thatwhichgivestheplayitsrealimportanceandvalueliesmuchdeeper。Itlies，first，inthefundamentalcurrentofoursocialfabricwhichdrivesusall，evenstrongercharactersthanLaura，intotheeasiestway——awaysoverydestructiveofintegrity，truth，andjustice。Secondly，thecruel，senselessfatalismconditionedinLaura’ssex。Thesetwofeaturesputtheuniversalstampupontheplay，andcharacterizeitasoneofthestrongestdramaticindictmentsagainstsociety。
　　Thecriminalwasteofhumanenergy，ineconomicandsocialconditions，drivesLauraasitdrivestheaveragegirltomarryanymanfora"home"；orasitdrivesmentoenduretheworstindignitiesforamiserablepittance。
　　Thenthereisthatotherrespectableinstitution，thefatalismofLaura’ssex。Theinevitabilityofthatforceissummedupinthefollowingwords:"Don’tyouknowthatwecountnomoreinthelifeofthesementhantamedanimals？It’sagame，andifwedon’tplayourcardswell，welose。"Womaninthebattlewithlifehasbutoneweapon，onecommodity——sex。Thataloneservesasatrumpcardinthegameoflife。
　　Thisblindfatalismhasmadeofwomanaparasite，aninertthing。
　　WhythenexpectperseveranceorenergyofLaura？Theeasiestwayisthepathmappedoutforherfromtimeimmemorial。Shecouldfollownoother。
　　Anumberofotherplayscouldbequotedascharacteristicofthegrowingroleofthedramaasadisseminatorofradicalthought。
　　SufficetomentionTHETHIRDDEGREE，byCharlesKlein；THEFOURTH
　　ESTATE，byMedillPatterson；AMAN’SWORLD，byIdaCroutchers，——allpointingtothedawnofdramaticartinAmerica，anartwhichisdiscoveringtothepeopletheterriblediseasesofoursocialbody。
　　Ithasbeensaidofold，allroadsleadtoRome。Inparaphrasedapplicationtothetendenciesofourday，itmaytrulybesaidthatallroadsleadtothegreatsocialreconstruction。Theeconomicawakeningoftheworkingman，andhisrealizationofthenecessityforconcertedindustrialaction；thetendenciesofmoderneducation，especiallyintheirapplicationtothefreedevelopmentofthechild；
　　thespiritofgrowingunrestexpressedthrough，andcultivatedby，artandliterature，allpavethewaytotheOpenRoad。Aboveall，themoderndrama，operatingthroughthedoublechannelofdramatistandinterpreter，affectingasitdoesbothmindandheart，isthestrongestforceindevelopingsocialdiscontent，swellingthepowerfultideofunrestthatsweepsonwardandoverthedamofignorance，prejudice，andsuperstition。
　　End