The Naturewoman

"The Naturewoman" by Upton Sinclair is a play about a woman named Oceana who grew up on a tropical island and comes to live with her relatives in Boston. The story focuses on the big differences between Oceana's wild, free spirit and the strict rules of society she now has to deal with. The play starts with the Masterson family waiting for Oceana, and their conversations show they're not sure what to expect. One of the younger family members, Ethel, really looks up to Oceana and wants to be free like her. As the family talks about Oceana and the money she'll inherit, it becomes clear that the play is about figuring out who you are and how society can clash with your natural instincts, with Oceana's exciting perspective causing problems with her more ordinary family.