The Foundations (An Extravagant Play)

"The Foundations" by John Galsworthy is a play written in the early 20th century, set a few years after the Great War. The narrative revolves around the interactions among various characters, primarily focusing on Lord William Dromondy and his family amid a backdrop of social unrest in post-war Britain, particularly addressing themes of class disparity and the burgeoning class struggles represented by the "Anti-Sweating" movement. At the start of the play, the scene is set in Lord William Dromondy’s wine cellar, introducing us to his daughter Little Anne and the footman James. Through their playful banter, we glean a glimpse of Little Anne's innocent curiosity and the problematic nature of societal class structures as they relate to the looming threat of revolution. The characters discuss serious topics masked by lighthearted dialogue, illustrating the tensions between the upper classes represented by Lord William and the struggles of the working class embodied by characters like Mrs. Lemmy, suggesting an impending clash between these social divisions. As the play unfolds, the dynamics will likely explore the conflict between personal ethics and societal obligations against the backdrop of an uneasy peace. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Galsworthy was an English novelist and playwright. He is best known for his trilogy of novels collectively called The Forsyte Saga, and two later trilogies, A Modern Comedy and End of the Chapter. He was awarded the 1932 Nobel Prize in Literature.