Summary for the Play Strife by John Galsworthy

                                                 

                                     Strife

-       John Galsworthy


Strife is a three-act play written by John Galsworthy. It is his third play and the play highlights the social issues. It was produced in the year 1909 at the Duke of York Theatre. The title “strife” has a biblical meaning which means bitter conflict.

The theme in this play is capital and labour. The action takes place on 7th february at the Trenartha Tin Plate Work. The factory workers involve in a prolonged strike. There arises a conflict between the company chairman John Anthony and the workers leader Roberts. Both are very stern and adamant to compromise.

Anthony was the chairman for 32 years and he is determined to fight and win. In his thirty two years of experience he has won four strikes. He was certain that he could win the strike once more. The directors felt unfair about the stern nature of Anthony. The directors were aware about the outcome of this prolonged strike.

Simon Harness, a Trades union official go as a mediator between Roberts and Anthony. His meet with the chairman resulted in failure because Anthony remained obstinate. At the same time the leader of workers was not ready to yield.

The plight of the workers were grewing worse. Some workers were ready to give up the strike, but Robert remained stubborn. The workers and their family members were suffering due to starvation. Roberts wife was dying out of hunger. She had been the maid of Underwood. Underwood, the daughter of Anthony has tried to help Mrs. Roberts by providing her food. But the proud and arrogant leader Robert refuses to accept the help from the daughter of John Anthony. She pleads to accept the help and save the life of his wife and end the strike.

Harness held a meeting with the workers and most of the strikers consented to end in compromise. But Robert was not ready to go for a compromise. He gave a speech and he tried to convince his workers not to go for a compromise. A young woman came forward in the meeting and announced Robert about his wife’s death.

 

 


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