ACT 2 SCENE 3

I have so much to say about this scene!

• It's been a while since all the conflict of Scene 2 with John's father. It is to be assumed that some time has passed. Alma is in the rectory and her parents have just entered.


• Mr. Winemillers gives the details of the horrible outing with his wife as she publicly emabrrassed him. (I think most audience members will finde verything Mrs. Winemiller does at least marginally fun thus making her, though pretty unecessary otherwise, an excellent comic relief.)


• Mr. Winemiller complains that ALma is always moping around in her night gown, sitting around and staying indoors like she's ill.


• Alma doesn't see why she should change how's she acting. She still manages to finish her household duties and make dinner each night-what more could anyone ask for?

Totally feeling Alma at this point as I've felt similarly. After a harsh break up I lived in a perpetual black cloud and could not be taken out of it. Others would complain that I wasn't myself and I wasn't doing anything positive but I didn't care. I kept up the business of living-bathing, eating, keeping my grades up-I just did it all with no joy or purpose. I wasn't ready to go back to normal life again.

• Alma also doesn't plan to change anything. She is a new person. Indelibly marked by what happened/didn't happen between her and John.


• We also learn in this scene that John has grown up some and achieved sucess after the death of his father. They are having a parade for him outside and Alma faints at the sight of him. She says, "No, no, don't call anyone to help me. I want to die!"


• The lights fade out in the rectory and come up in John's office where he has his new "loving cup" (Whatever that is) that he was given for his achievements.


• Nellie enters. She has become a young woman overnight and John is surpised. She is coy, flirtatious and spirited. The two talk and flirt a bit when she mentions sweet candy she's been eating that make her mouth sweet-would he like a try?


• They kiss and Nellie really goes for it with passion, surprising and impressing John. (Why does John kiss her? Even though he's grown some he's still a sucker for women. Also, what is the age difference there? Weird.)


• After the kiss John sends Nellie off kindly. The way he speaks to her, he sounds more like a father or borther than a possible love interest. "Run along, Nellie."


• She leaves but promises to be back. Awkward budding romance?