The Sleeping-Car: A Farce

Name: The Sleeping-Car: A Farce
Author: William Dean Howells

By William Dean Howells

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Humour Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

A comic farce confines its action to a crowded sleeping-car, where a young mother, her elderly aunt, a porter, and assorted fellow travelers manage berths, luggage, and social anxieties. Through brisk stage business the characters disclose worries about an impending family reunion, domestic foibles, and class manners; recurring pratfalls include a mistaken snake that proves to be a hairpiece, noisy neighboring berths, and comic struggles with upper berths and a restless baby. The short play sketches a succession of misunderstandings and small embarrassments that satirize social pretension and the collisions of private cares with public travel.

About the Author

William Dean Howells

William Dean Howells (1837-1920) was an influential American author and literary critic, often regarded as the "Dean of American Letters." He is best known for his realistic portrayals of American life and society, particularly in the late 19th century. Howells's works often explore themes of social class and morality, reflecting the complexities of contemporary life. His notable novel, "A Hazard of New Fortunes," delves into the challenges faced by individuals in a rapidly changing society. Throughout his career, Howells contributed significantly to the development of realism in American literature, advocating for a more truthful representation of everyday experiences.