The Second Man: A Comedy in Three Acts
"The Second Man" is a sophisticated three-act comedy that stands as a cornerstone of the American comedy of manners. Set in the vibrant social landscape of the 1920s, S. N. Behrman's witty and urbane play explores the complexities of identity, love, and ambition through the life of Clark Storey, a cynical writer whose charm masks a deep internal conflict.
The narrative revolves around Storey's struggle to choose between the comfortable, secure love of the wealthy socialite Mrs. Kendall Frayne and the youthful, idealistic passion of Monica Grey. At the heart of the play is the protagonist's concept of the "second man"-the detached, ironic observer within himself who mocks his own emotional impulses and dictates his pragmatic choices. Through sharp dialogue and keen social observation, Behrman dissects the tensions between romantic sincerity and worldly success.
A landmark in twentieth-century theater, "The Second Man" showcases Behrman's mastery of characterization and his ability to blend humor with profound psychological insight. This work remains a compelling study of the masks people wear in society and the inner voices that define our truest selves.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Customer Reviews
ThriftBooks® and the ThriftBooks® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
