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The Unknown; A Play in Three Acts: Play Guide and Free Edition

The Unknown; A Play in Three Acts: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

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AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

The Unknown; A Play in Three Acts is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset) (1874–1965).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"The Unknown; A Play in Three Acts" by W. Somerset Maugham is a drama written in the early 20th century. The play revolves around the lives of ordinary characters, primarily focusing on Colonel Wharton, his wife Mrs. Wharton, and their son John, who has just returned from the war. Set in a country manor, it explores themes of life, death, faith, and the complexities of human emotions against the backdrop of post-war society. At the start of the play, we are introduced to the Wharton family in their manor house, amidst the mundane preparations for a meal and the anxieties surrounding John's return after being wounded in battle. The atmosphere is a mix of excitement and worry, as John's prolonged absence has strained family dynamics, especially concerning his father's health. The poignant conversations hint at underlying tensions, particularly John's struggle with faith and the weight of expectations from his family, culminating in a moment of revelation regarding his beliefs. The opening sets the stage for a deeper exploration of personal and existential dilemmas influenced by the aftermath of war, while simultaneously addressing the nuances of familial love and societal norms.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: The Unknown; A Play in Three Acts
  • Author credits: Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset) (1874–1965)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • England -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Drama
  • Faith -- Drama
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- England -- Drama

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: British Literature
  • Category: Plays/Films/Dramas

Read this edition

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.

Sources

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