42 pages • 1 hour read
Lillian HellmanThe Children's Hour
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1934A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour follows Martha and Karen, two women who open a girls' school together. Their lives unravel when a student, Mary, accuses them of having a romantic relationship, leading to scandal and loss. Despite suing for libel, they lose the case, and the fallout is devastating. The play was considered controversial for its sympathetic portrayal of same-sex attraction. The play addresses themes of false accusations and societal stigma surrounding same-sex relationships.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour is lauded for its intense emotional impact and bold exploration of taboo topics, particularly the ramifications of deceit. Critics praise Hellman's ability to build suspense and develop complex characters. However, some argue that the ending is too melodramatic and the dialogue occasionally feels dated. Overall, it remains a powerful and provocative play.
Who Should Read The Children's Hour?
A reader who would enjoy The Children’s Hour by Lillian Hellman is likely to appreciate intense psychological dramas and themes of deceit and moral conflict. Fans of A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams or The Crucible by Arthur Miller would find similar appeals in Hellman's play, with its exploration of the destructive power of lies and societal pressures.