Representative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: The Moth and the Flame

"The Moth and the Flame" by Clyde Fitch is a play explores the struggles within high society, especially how love gets tangled up with what people expect. The play opens at the Wolton family's grand costume ball, a place buzzing with fun as everyone gathers for a fancy party where games and chatter fill the air. At the heart, Marion Wolton and Douglas Rhodes circle each other, their unspoken feelings creating a strong pull, while Marion also finds herself drawn to the appealing Edward Fletcher, whose character is questionable. As the party continues, undercurrents of hidden problems and secrets start to surface and threaten to disrupt the characters' perfectly constructed lives.