Winner of the 1921 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Miss Lulu Bett is a powerful and often-times moving play of life in a small Wisconsin town. Viewed by her relatives as a characteristic spinster, Lulu finds herself accidentally married to the charming black sheep of the family. Discovering during her honeymoon that her husband is a bigamist, she returns to her small town. However, she refuses to be overwhelmed by the shame and mortification which her overbearing relatives expect her to feel as a result of her plight. Refusing to accept conventional wisdom, she breaks with her past and sets out to forge a new life of her own. Dorothy Parker hailed the play as "truthful" and claimed it was "among the best written plays of the season," a season that included Eugene O'Neill and Pirandello. Set at the dawn of the women's moment, the play is remembered today for breaking new ground in theatrical realism. Theatre Arts Press is proud to present a new acting edition of this classic play.

"Miss Lulu Bett - play" from Zona Gale. Author of novels, poetry, short stories, essays, and plays (1874-1938).

Miss Lulu Bett by Zona Gale: This novel by Zona Gale tells the story of Lulu Bett, a woman trapped in a stifling domestic situation, caring for her family. The narrative explores themes of women's roles, family dynamics, and the quest for personal fulfillment. Key Aspects of the Novel "Miss Lulu Bett": Character Development: The novel offers a character-driven exploration of Lulu Bett's journey towards self-discovery and independence. Social Commentary: Zona Gale provides commentary on the societal expectations placed on women in the early 20th century and the limitations they faced. Domestic Realism: "Miss Lulu Bett" is a prime example of domestic realism, offering a window into the lives of ordinary individuals grappling with their desires and limitations. Zona Gale (1874-1938) was an American author and playwright known for her works of fiction and drama. "Miss Lulu Bett" earned her the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1921, and it remains a significant work in early 20th-century literature.

Zona Gale was born in Portage, Wisconsin on August 26, 1874. Educated at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she received a Bachelor of Literature degree in 1895, and four years later a master's degree. After graduating she wrote for newspapers both in Milwaukee and New York for a number of years. A visit back home in 1903 proved pivotal in her writing advancement as her 'old world was full of new possibilities.' Zona had now settled on the material she needed for her writing, and returned to Portage in 1904 to concentrate full time on fiction. She published Romance Island, in 1906, and began the popular series of "Friendship Village" stories. In 1920, she published the novel Miss Lulu Bett, a brilliant realisation of life in the Midwestern United States. She adapted it as a play, and it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1921. Zona was also an active supporter of progressive causes and a member of the National Women's Party, and she lobbied extensively for the 1921 Wisconsin Equal Rights Law. Her activism on behalf of women was her way to help solve "a problem she returned to repeatedly in her novels: women's frustration at their lack of opportunities." In 1928 at the age of fifty-four she married William L. Breese, also of Portage. Zona died of pneumonia in a Chicago hospital on December 27th 1938.