Dolly Reforming Herself: A Comedy in Four Acts

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27271

Title

Dolly Reforming Herself: A Comedy in Four Acts

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this witty comedy, Henry Arthur Jones explores the question of whether bad habits can be cured. Set in a country house, the play follows Dolly and her husband Harry as they attempt to reform after a New Year's sermon, only to be thwarted by financial irresponsibility, a cousin's flirtation, and the stubborn realities of human nature. With sharp humor and logical character development, Jones presents a delightful critique of self-deception and the struggle for moral improvement.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the drawing-room of The Gables in Surrey on New Year's Day, 1907, Henry Arthur Jones's comedy "Dolly Reforming Herself" opens with a family attempting to live within their means following a stern sermon by the Reverend Pilcher. The household is immediately chaotic: Dolly Telfer struggles with a complete lack of money sense, repeatedly forgetting she has paid bills, while her husband, Harry, admits to selfish habits like excessive cigar smoking. Observing the domestic disarray are Dolly's cynical father, Matthew Barron, and Professor Sturgess, a scientist who rigidly denies the existence of free will. The situation escalates with the arrival of Dolly's cousin, Captain Lucas Wentworth, and his wife, Renie. A letter intended for Renie is accidentally dropped by Lucas and discovered by Professor Sturgess. Misinterpreting the correspondence as proof of Renie's infidelity, the Professor threatens divorce and legal action. Despite Renie's protests that their relationship is merely a harmless, platonic friendship, the family must navigate the fallout. The tension peaks when Lucas returns to the house despite Dolly's anger, only to discover that the "flirtation" was a complete misunderstanding. The play culminates in a humorous resolution that underscores its central philosophical question: can humans truly reform their bad habits through willpower? Jones argues that while people may wish to change, their actions are often dictated by their nature and circumstances rather than simple volition. In the final scene, Harry accepts a lavish fur coat bought by Dolly to please him, sweeping away the collecting box in a fit of affectionate frustration. Through these interactions, the play suggests that human behavior is less a matter of conscious choice and more a complex interplay of instinct, circumstance, and the limitations of the human mind.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Drama
• Comedy