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.

Poignant novel about a small town spinster's search for love and independence. Lulu Bett lives in a small town with her sister Ina and Ina's husband Dwight-a dentist who rules his household with self-righteous smugness. The unmarried Lulu has learned that she cannot question her role as chief cook, housekeeper, and gracious presence. But when Dwight's sophisticated brother Ninian comes to visit, Lulu finds in herself a surprising wit-and the boldness to accept his playful proposal of marriage. Through her appealing, determined heroine, Zona Gale satirically dispatches a sheaf of the social assumptions of her day, from male supremacy to the security of marriage. First published in 1920, Miss Lulu Bett was immediately acclaimed, and went on to become one of two bestselling novels of the year. Together with four of Gale's short stories - including the O. Henry award-winning "Bridal Pond" - Miss Lulu Bett reflects Gale's broad progressive interests and the fast-paced, affecting prose which made her one of the most popular writers of her time and a classic American storyteller.

In the first century of the coveted Pulitzer Prizes, only 11 women have won the prize for drama: Zona Gale (1921), Susan Glaspell (1931), Zoe Akins (1935), Mary Coyle Chase (1945), Ketti Frings (1958), Beth Henley (1981), Marsha Norma (1983), Wendy Wasserstein (1989), Paula Vogel (1998), Margaret Edson (1999), and Suzan-Lori Parks (2002). This book is about them and their landmark plays, beginning with Gale's Miss Lulu Bett, which championed the unmarried woman forced to work in the home of a married relative, and closing with Parks' controversial Topdog/Underdog, which made her the first black woman to win the prize. Drawn from personal interviews with the playwrights and research from archives and unpublished material, this work shows how the stage art of women has reflected life in the American family and traces a strong thread of feminist history in our culture. Overview chapters set the stage for each playwright and play with sketches of the time period, highlighting the major points of women's experiences in culture, society and the family. Other chapters analyze each play in detail and discuss the playwright's life and opinions. The book also includes a quick history of the Pulitzer Prize and a chapter honoring black female playwrights.