Strife Shodhganga PDF
Strife Shodhganga PDF
Strife Shodhganga PDF
STRIFE
Strife, meaning strike, is not only the conflict between
working class and the latter the capitalist class. Long before the
capitalist system.
The play also, in the words of R.M. Mottram, deals with that
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The play Strife takes place on 7th February in the
loss. They have lost fifty thousand pounds. The strike has been
workers.
The play opens with the Board meeting taking place in the
Wankiin and Mr. Edgar Anthony, the son of Mr. Anthony. Edgar is
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Wanklin are worried about the loss of the company and want to
As the meeting starts, Mr. Wilder says that the fire in the
fire place is very hot and asks to put a screen infront of it. This
rooms and the labourers who are suffering from cold and
starvation.
paper said that if the Directors who control the factory from their
their hard hearts would melt with pity. Wilder says that the
screen and puts it infront of the fire. Tench reads about the last
replies that the Union did not support the strike of the workers
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of Trenartha Tin plate works because they thought that if the
Union, the strike continued for more than four months. This was
because of the workers leader Mr. Roberts Wilder says that the
losing its customers and the value of their shares is going down.
Tench reveals that due to the strike, the company has lost
compromise.
they gave way to the workers once they would soon comeup
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the workers and none could beat him to that day. Wilder says
grievance against the management. Edgar says that they did not
pay him enough for his discovery. Tench tells them that the
company has paid him seven hundred pounds for his discovery
themselves. Harness tells them that the workers are far more in
tells that they can not have free labour. He tells the directors
frankly the attitude of the Union. They are not supporting the
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Union will support them. He asks the directors to stop war with
take their final decision only after they have discussed the
are offered chairs but Roberts says that they would prefer to
purpose of their visit. Roberts says that they have come to hear
what the Board has to say. Mr. Anthony replies that the Board
has nothing to say. Then Roberts says that they are wasting the
that since the men had asked for this conference the Board
would take him the whole day and if the Directors hear all the
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explain his proposals clearly and be reasonable. Roberts asks
with his lunch. Thomas says that they only want justice. Robert
tells him that they cannot expect justice from these Directors. He
the point of view of the workers, Mr. Anthony had told him they
spoke for. Anthony tells him that there could be only one
men call their souls their own. Roberts replies that the men
employers.
When Wilder says," Thank God ". Roberts says, bitterly that
everyone of them are starving. But though they are starving they
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would prefer death to surrender. He wants to know whether their
change their demands. Anthony tells him plainly that they would
Directors that it they were thinking that the men would surrender
would be the last fight of his life. Anthony remains calm and
that neither side had shown any conciliatory spirit. When Harness
start moving. Enid now tells them that she wants to talk to her
lunch. When he leaves Enid shuts the door and asks her father
doesn't want to come to any compromise She tells him that the
miserable state. Her heart is weak and since the strike began
she has not been getting even proper food. Anthony asks his
daughter to give Annie what she needs. But Enid says that
Roberts doesn't allow her to take anything from them. Enid tells
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her father to stop the strike and the suffering caused by it. She
If the demands of the workers are met they will ask for more
and more. Her culture and her comforts would then disappear
and they would face the same problem like the labourers whom
she is pitying Enid does not understand what relation all this has
with the strike. Anthony says that it will take one or two
Enid says that the strike will ruin the company. Anthony tells her
that she should allow him to be the best judge of that. Enid
tells him that she can not stand by and let poor Annie Roberts
and the children of the workers suffer. She tells him that the
strike is putting too much strain on him and Dr. Fisher has
signed. After Anthony has signed the papers he tells him that he
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company declining. He tells that the Directors are going to
When his servant Frost comes he asks him to bring whisky and
soda. He tells him that doctor has advised him not to take drink
alone.
chair in her cottage. She looks weak but her eyes show patience.
There is a meager fire because there are very few coals. The
other women in the kitchen are Mrs. Yeo Mrs. Rous, Mrs. Bulgin
Mrs. Yeo says that in the whole of that week she had
received only six pence. She notices that Mrs. Rous, an old lady,
there was not much fire in it. Mrs. Rous recalls that the winter
of 1879, when her husband died was the severest. That year
Mrs. Roberts was only seven years old. Her husband was working
on the acid in the factory and got a poisoned leg and he died
two days later. She says that in those days her husband did not
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get anything from the factory because there were no
compensation acts. Mrs. Yeo says that this winter is the severest
Mrs. Buigin says that they had been living on bread and
tea for four days. She says that it is very hard for the children
to feed. She makes them lie down on bed for if they run they
feel hungry. Mrs. Roberts asks Mrs. Rous to have some tea. But
she refuses to take as there is only one cup of tea and she
love with George Rous, the son of Mrs. Rous who is a strong
supporter of Roberts. She tells George that she can not have her
the workers is due to Roberts. She wants her father and George
Rous to lead the men against Roberts and end the strike. She
tells Mrs. Roberts that Harness and workers have come and they
Annie says that Roberts would never give up the cause of the
comes to meet Mrs. Roberts. She asks how she is feeling. She
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replies that she is feeling better. Enid asks her why she had
sent back the articles of food sent by her. Annie tells her that
she did not need those things. Enid in reply says her that
workers. Madge in anger tells Enid not to come again and spy
she can do to help her. She notices that Annie doesn't even
have coal. Annie tells her that Roberts has to meet the men at
four. Enid asks if she can stop his going. She just smiles. Enid
but they demand more wages. Enid tells her that the share
holders are really not better off than the workers. Mrs. Roberts
does not believe this and only smiles. Enid adds that the workers
drink and gambling they would not have suffering. Annie tells
replies that Roberts does not involve in these pleasures but the
the time he dies. They live from hand to mouth. They have no
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savings and whatever they have is spent and they have no
money when they are sick. That's why Roberts doesn't want to
have children. Enid tells Annie that Roberts is given large amount
of money for his new process but Annie says that it has been
Robert's comes. Enid says that she wants to meet him and
recognize Enid. Enid tells him that she wants to talk to him.
sake of his wife. Roberts tells her not to appeal for the sake of
her father. Roberts replies that Mr. Anthony stands for tyranny.
chair. Enid tries to lift her up but Roberts shouts at her not
touch his wife. Enid says that he is mad. Roberts then tells her
that the house of a madman is not fit place for a lady. Enid
makes her last attempt but she fails. She tells him to have pity
on his wife. Roberts says that he has no more to tell. Just then
Underwood comes there looking for his wife. Roberts tells him
that there is no need for him to escort his wife. Before leaving
Enid makes an appeal to him for the sake of his wife. But
Roberts advises her to make this appeal for the sake of her
husband and her father. Enid controls her feelings and goes out
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with her husband. Roberts asks his wife whether she is feeling
better. He wraps his overcoat round her. He tells his wife that
He says that they are cowards. Annie suggests that men can not
see their wives and children suffering. Roberts says that they
only pretend. Mrs. Roberts then says that they should see the
like this one. Annie tells him that it is natural for the men to
lose their spirit in the face of starvation. She says that all of
them are not as strong as he. Roberts tells her that his aim is
Thomas arrives there. Annie tells him that Roberts has gone to
compromise with the Directors. Annie tells him that Roberts will
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to support him now except the engineers and George Rous. He
has talked to the chapel people and they are in favour of ending
and now he has gone against human nature. So chapel doe not
support the strike. Just then Thomas daughter appears and tells
asks him whether he cannot break his word for the sake of his
love for her. Then he decides to oppose Roberts and rushes off
against Roberts. She finds Annie as cold as stone and tells her
that she would get some brandy. But Annie refuses. Madge hears
the sound coming from the worker's meeting and complains that
the high wall of the factory. Roberts stands a little away from
platform and has been addressing the workers. Harness tells the
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workers to be reasonable. Some of their demands are in excess
excessive at the moment and if they cut them down they would
Union and get victory. Jago asks Harness if the furnace men are
paid enough. Harness replies that they are not paid enough, but
and Jago oppose Harness but other workers wants to turn them
but because they had gone against nature. Chapel wants them to
Directors. "It is better to take their beating like men than to die
like dogs". All God fearing people should accept the advice of
chapel and accept compromise. The workers agree with him. Jago
platform. But the workers don't accept it. He feels angry and
says that everyone should have the right to say what he likes.
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same boat so afar and now it is a dirty thing for the labourers
to abandon them.
attitude. Rous tells him that he has changed his mind. He agrees
George Rous supports the Union. He says that Roberts had told
breath out of them. But actually their own and that of their
all their sufferings and tells them not to listen to him as his
telling that without Union they are like a handful of dried leaves,
with him.
anyone there who stood less to gain and more to lose from the
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strike than he. He is against the faith of Thomas in Nature. He
live over the hills and are going home when it is snowing at
night have to fight every inch of it. A man can be a man only
selfishness. For his own purpose Thomas had invented the idea
the employers on their knees kin the hope that they will throw a
the fight of the country's body and blood against the blood -
its own price. He says that they have seen his work and paid
thousand pounds by it. They make the labourers work a lot with
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hand to tell the Directors plainly that the workers will have
and not for themselves alone. He says that they have to defeat
says that they should not lose their hope when victory is within
favour of Roberts, Madge appears and tells Roberts that his wife
leaps down from the platform and runs home. Madge tells the
men that Roberts need not hurry as his wife is already dead.
She calls the striking men as blinded hounds and warns them
gone against the nature and Chapel. Evans tells them that
Roberts has lost his wife in fighting for their cause so they
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workers. If the strike continues they will have the same tragedy
saying that they will make their terms and talks with the Union.
It is five o' clock in the evening. Edgar and Enid are seen
father should not attend the Director's meeting. Enid tells Edgar
that she has gone to Roberts house and has seen the condition
sympathy towards workers and says that Directors are killing her.
Enid says that she does not feel half as sympathetic with them
now as she did before she went there. She says that they are
Enid describes the pathetic condition of Mrs. Annie and she says
says that his father will not change his mind and the result will
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be that he will be voted down. Enid says that other Directors will
not dare to remove him from the chairmanship. Edgar says that
has worked as a chairperson for thirty years. Edgar says that his
sympathies are entirely with the workers. Enid tells her brother to
dining room.
whether she has gone to Roberts house. She admits that she
did. Anthony tells her that she is trying the impossible task of
filling a sieve with sand. He says that conflicts between the two
not well. Anthony does not listen to her and goes into the
to the drawing room when they come. Frost tells her that Mr.
Anthony had eaten nothing the whole day. He had taken two
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pegs of whisky on an empty stomach. He is very difficult person
to deal with. Regarding the strike his idea is that the Directors
should outwardly support Mr. Anthony and then quietly fulfill the
morning whether the strike was worth the trouble that he was
taking. Mr. Anthony asked him to mind his own business. Enid
Enid asks Frost to go and ask the Directors whether they would
have any tea. As Frost opens the door one can hear sounds of
Madge now comes to see Enid. She tells her that Annie
Roberts is dead. Madge says that Annie died of cold and hunger.
death. Madge says that she and her father have killed her. Enid
tells her that her father is not well. Madge says that Anthony
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Anthony enters the room and sits calmly on any armchair,
Edgar comes and tells that Wilder had insulted him. Edgar says
that Wilder had called his father as a old and feeble person and
come into the room. Wanklin tells Anthony that Wilder had sent
his apologies through him. Then Wilder himself comes in and asks
Edgar now comes from the dining room and tells about
the death of Mrs. Roberts. Edgar asserts that all of them were
responsible for her death. Anthony replies that "War is War". But
Edgar tells them that they should not wage war against women.
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this. He says that all that had happened was that they had
finds out the weak spot in everybody. If this strike would not
have been like this the woman would not have died and all the
misery would not have taken place, Wanklin tells him that none
that he is seventy six years old and he has been working in the
company pass through good and evil days. He fought against the
the workers have received fair wages. Their complaints have been
frankly that he will not change with the time. There can be only
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have same interests. But it is not true. It is absurd. Their
interests are poles apart. Wanklin had stated that the Directors
are only parts of a machine but it is false. The Directors are the
interests of the capitalist class of his country who are facing the
attack which has been made upon him by his son that he is
enemy has to suffer and he can not be blamed for it. They
should have thought of this before they started the fight. Edgar
tells him that it is not a fair fight and strike is the only weapon
go on strike. He would never accept it. Edgar tells him that they
Anthony breaks down. His own son has accused him of injustice,
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Anthony says that if the amendment is carried they will be
they will have to fly like dogs before the whips of their own
workers. He tells them if they are prepared for all these things,
vote. Except Anthony, all the Directors vote for the amendment.
his hand to settle the matter. Then Roberts who doesn't know
gives his speech saying that the workers will not surrender. He
says that they may break the body but not their spirits.
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he tells his fellow workers that they had deceived him. Roberts
He says that the agreement is not valid. But Harness tells that
go out.
Harness says that the result of the strike is waste and suffering,
a woman dead and the two best men broken. Tench replies that
play about the clash between Capital and Labour, the waste of
Anthony and his children - Enid and Edgar, the lack of cohesion
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between leaders and followers, the conflict between two classes,
the inability to change with the times lead a life of peace and
prosperity, and the logic that 'fanaticism and inflexibility alike over
fight for himself but for his class. He represents the Capital. His
belief is that masters and servants are two different classes. They
be equal. Where two men meet the better man will rule.
The interests of the two classes the labour and capital are
its theme. In simple terms its gist is the Marxian thesis of class
found out before the strife began. Philosophically too, the play
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perishing of the sword by the sword. The fatal things, says the
rule with the iron hand', and his children Edgar and Enid plead
Within the same group there are few like Scantlebury who are
for compromise. They are ready to yield and let down even their
general privileges but their social awareness has not yet become
People like Madge and Rous still have only half understood ideals.
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Another parallel conflicting trend is at the individual level
just a foil and that the Universal appeal was not conditioned by
Capital and Labour 'get a hoist' but " to see human nature in the
thick of fight, the heroism of die - hardism and the Nemesis that
dogs it."8.
the eternal and universal friction of the two great powers always
progress.
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her affection for Annie and a sense of superiority and insult
inspite of her affection and respect for Enid. Roberts has to fight
scene when Madge the fire brand breaks into Enid's room to
barren and wasted. Annie who was longing for children had to
envisaged by Enid.
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interest, but which finally resolvesitself into a drawn
best sense of the term and must belong to the intellectual drama
undesirable effects.
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destroys in a moment the illusion of
impartiality."2.
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settlement the terms of which are precisely
of the struggle."3.
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on the side of men, and heavy financial loss
Neither Roberts nor Anthony is a heroic figure. They are the two
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Capitalist faith, the other from the faith of
the rebels."5.
Galsworthy makes the invisible social structure the hero and the
internal schesims and rivalries. Anthony and Roberts are left alone
their followers driftaway from them and end the strife on their
own terms. Hence it is not the personal hero that governs the
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opportunity from 1899 to 1954, of studying
come to power."6.
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"From the point of view of technique Strife is
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References:
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