BURNING BRIGHT

by Steinbeck, John

It’s at the circus that we first meet the characters - Joe Saul, Victor and Mordeen are trapeze artists and Friend Ed, a clown. As the play develops, in a cleverly fascinating structure, the setting changes from circus to farm, then to a ship. Although changing to accomodate the setting, each character remains true to their role and the conflicts of the play remain intact. Joe Saul wants to have a child to carry on his blood after he’s gone. After years of unsuccessful attempts with his young wife Mordeen, he begins to dwell on his inadequacy. But she has a love for him that is stronger than he could ever imagine, a love which compels her to get pregnant from another man and call the future child Joe Saul’s. This poses a problem for Victor, the surrogate father, who wants Mordeen for his own. Joe Saul’s best friend, Friend Ed, attempts to solve all the problems by disposing of the garrulous Victor. But a recent doctor’s examination reveals the truth to Joe: that the child can’t possibly be his. At the end Joe must do the only thing he can, by swallowing his pride and accepting the child as a gift of love from his devoted wife.