The First Man: Play Guide and Free Edition
The First Man: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The First Man is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for O'Neill, Eugene (1888–1953).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The First Man" by Eugene O'Neill is a play written in the early 20th century. The drama revolves around the complex relationships within the Jayson family, particularly highlighting the character of Curtis Jayson, an anthropologist who is preparing for an important expedition while grappling with the emotional fallout from his past and a significant change in his life. The opening of the play introduces Curtis, his wife Martha, and their friend Edward Bigelow, setting the stage in their home. As they discuss Curtis's upcoming expedition—the chance to uncover the origins of mankind—tensions surface when Martha reveals she is pregnant, which complicates Curtis's plans and deepens the existing emotional turmoil. The dialogue highlights Curtis's preoccupation with his work and the unease he feels about the changes the pregnancy represents. Martha, understanding the implications, wishes to embrace this new chapter, contrasting with Curtis's conflicted feelings about fatherhood and his commitment to their intellectual life together. This dynamic sets up the core conflicts of the play, suggesting themes of sacrifice, love, and the struggle to balance personal desires with social expectations.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The First Man
- Author credits: O'Neill, Eugene (1888–1953)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- American drama -- 20th century
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Plays/Films/Dramas
- Nobel Prizes in Literature
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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