Word: evelyn
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...Evelyn is suspended from school after being arrested during a protest against segregation at a local store. Charlie offers to use his influence to repeal the suspension, while Ian asks her to join him, and other protesters, in Mississippi. The choice between the two types of resistance is ostensibly the crossroads at which Evelyn stands--when she decides to leave both men, this demonstrates a newfound maturity and independence...
Although the play raises many intriguing questions about the civil rights movement, the insights offered by the various characters do little to illuminate the issue. Everyone except Evelyn has a firm grip on their opinions and has no problem stating them...
Surprisingly, Evelyn is one of the sketchiest characters. Many of her lines--"I realize now that I have a lot of growing up to do"--merely illustrate her confusion and do not advance her character. She comes across as weak and ineffectual, too willing to be swayed by the other characters' advice. Her burst of independence at the end is incongrous and seems to demonstrate more a desire for an inspirational conclusion than for logical character development...
Another problem with the ending is its abrupt shift to feminism. The authors construct a plot in which the issue of civil rights is entangled with the need to choose the right man. Although Charlie and Ian are always viewed as somewhat manipulative, their attempts to dominate Evelyn remain unquestioned until the final scene...
...parallels between Evelyn's dilemmas about her future and her lover are heavy-handed and trite, and the authors make Evelyn seem shallow and foolish. Her realization that she does not need a man's guidance attempts to save the play from sexism, but this epiphany still comes much too late...