,h[ to ,write a ,play                   
,,cont5ts  ,introduction by ,william    
,gillette ,lett] f mile ,augi] ,lett] f 
,?odore de ,banville ,lett] f ,adolphe  
,d5n]y ,lett] f ,alex&re ,dumas ,fils   
,lett] f ,edmond ,gond9et ,lett] by     
,eugne ,labi*e ,lett] by ,erne/ ,leg\v  
,lett] f d\>d ,paill]on ,lett] f        
,victori5 ,s>d\ ,lett] f mile ,zola     
,notes by ,b4,m4  #aiaf ,by ,dramatic   
,museum ( ,columbia ,univ]sity          
,,introduction  ,! impression has always
 prevail$ ) me t "o :o might prop]ly be 
class$ z a g5ius is n precisely ! p]son 
be/ fitt$ to exp\nd rules & me?ods = !  
c>ry+ on ( 8 p>ticul> bran* ( endeavor4 
,i h r avoid$ look+ ! matt] up = fe> x  
might n turn out to be s aft] all4 ,b   
doesn't x s\nd z if x ought to be8 ,&   
isn't a sup]ficial glance ab\t r        
confirmatory8 ,we d n--s f> z ,i "k--f9d
 t ,%aksp]e or ,milton or ,t5nyson or   
,:itman ev] gave out rules & regulations
 = ! writ+ ( poetry2 t ,mi*ael ,angelo  
or ,raphael 0 addict$ to =mulat+        

in/ructive matt] z to ! accompli%m5t (  
pa9t+s & frescoes2 t ,?ack]ay or ,dick5s
 or ,m]$i? or ,george ,s& 7 kn[n to h   
answ]$ inquiries z to ',h[ to write a   
,novel'2 or t ,bee?ov5 or ,wagn] or     
,*op9 or ,m5delsohn paus$ 9 ! mid/ ( _! 
c>e]s 9 ord] to tell newspap] m5 :at !y 
consid]$ ! true me?od ( compos+ music4  
,^! =tunate p--z well z o!rs ( _!       
"t--c\ld s easily be sil5t & ?us avoid  
disclos+ ! fact t !y c\ld n--= ! lives (
 !m--tell ab\t ^! ?+s2 b 9 our unhappy  
day ev5 g5iuses are prodd$ & teas$ &    
tortur$ into spee*4 ,9 ?is case we may  
be m ?an grateful t !y are1 = ! result  
is mo/ delightful read+--ev5 ?o x falls 
a trifle %ort ( its purpose z indicat$  
by ! r f>-rea*+ title4  ,!re are no     
workable rules = play-writ+ to be f\nd  
"h--nor1 inde$1 any p>ticul> light ( any
 k9d on ! subject1 s ! lett]s may be    
approa*t ) a m9d arrang$ = enjoym5t4 ,i 
w\ld be sorry inde$ = ! try+-to-be      
dramati/ :o flew to ?is volume =        
consolation & guidance4 ,i'm sorry = him

 any way1 b ?is additional cata/rophe   
w\ld accel]ate my sympa?y1 mak+ x fa/ & 
furi\s4 ,any "o suffici5tly inexp]i5c$  
to consult books 9 ord] to f9d out h[ to
 write a play w c]ta9ly und]go a sev]e  
t\* ( confusion 9 ?is case1 = f\r ( !   
lett]-writ]s confess q frankly t !y d n 
"k--two ( ^! !reupon proce$+ to tell u1 
?us =cibly illu/rat+ _! fir/ /atem5t4   
,"o au?or exclaims1 ,h in/9ct6--ano!r1  
,h g5ius6 ,:]e ^! two necess>ies are to 
be obta9$ is n reveal$4 ,equally        
disc\rag+ is ! ,dumas decl>ation t ,"s f
 bir? "k h[ to write a play & ! o!rs d n
 & nev] w4 ,t w\ld h kill$ (f a lot (   
u--if we _h se5 x 9 "t4  ,"o approa*es !
 practical :5 he c\nsels u to ,take an  
int]e/+ !me4 ,c]ta9ly a workable        
proposition4 ,_m dramati/s h done       
t--:]ev] !y c\ld f9d x4 ,! me?od is n   
altoge!r mod]n4 ,two insi/ ^u !         
necessity ( a c>efully consid]$ plan1   
:ile two o!rs ann\nce t x is a matt] (  
no consequ5ce :at "o does2 & ano!r /ill 
wants u to be sure & beg9 "w at ! end   

in/ead ( ! beg9n+4 ,gond9et--mo/        
delightful ( all--tells u t 8 me?od (   
work+ is simply atroci\s1 = all he asks 
:5 he contemplates writ+ a play is :e!r 
! subject w be amus+ to him4 ,?o t      
sc>cely t\*es ! "q ( h[ to write x1 x is
 a practical h9t on favor+ conditions1 =
 no "o w dispute t "o's be/ "w is likely
 to be pre=m$ :5 he him self enjoys x4  
,s>d\ comes ne>e/ to project+ a fa9t ray
 ( practical light on ! subject :5 he   
av]s t !re is no "o necess>y way to     
write a play1 b t a dramati/ mu/ "k :]e 
he is go+ & take ! be/ road t leads !re4
 ,he omits1 h[ev]1 to give in/ructions  
ab\t f9d+ t road--:i* "s might ?9k      
important4  ,! =ego+ indicates to "s    
ext5t ! buffet+ ab\t :i* a se>*] =      
practical advice on play-writ+ may f9d  
himself subject 9 ?is collection (      
lett]s4 ,he _h bett] g = m]e in/ruction 
to ^? ( a l[] ord] ( intellect1 ^:      
imag9ative or creative faculties d n    
monopolize _! entire m5tal area4  ,b t w
 h>dly s]ve him bett]1 = ! tru? is t no 

"o c convey to him--:e!r by writt5 words
 or orally--or ev5 by signs &           
miracles--! "r & prop] me?od ( con/ruct+
 a play4 ,a few p "k1 b !y are utt]ly   
unable to communicate t k to o!rs4 ,9 "o
 place & "o only c ?is un=tunate p]son  
team h[ to proce$1 & t is ! !atre2 & ! p
 to see ab\t x !re are situat$ 9 front (
 ! foot-lights & n beh9d !m4  ,a play or
 drama is n a simple & /raight-told     
/ory2 x is a device--an inv5tion--a     
c>efully adju/$ s]ies ( m or less +5i\s 
traps1 indep5d5t yet int]-dep5d5t1 & s  
arrang$ t :ile yet trapp+ !y c>ry =w>d !
 plot or !me )\t a break4 ,^! traps (   
sc5e1 ( situation1 ( climax1 ( acts &   
tableaux or ( :atev] !y are1 require to 
be set & adju/$ ) ! utmo/ nicety & skill
 s t !y w spr+ at ! precise in/ant & 9 !
 precise mann] to seize & hold !        
admiration--sympa?y--int]e/--or :atev]  
!y may be int5d$ to capture1 ( an       
audi5ce4 ,_! con/ruction &              
adju/m5t--once "o ( ! simple/--is n[ (  
necessity mo/ complicat$ & intricate4   

,!y mu/ op]ate precisely & effectively1 
o!rwise ! play--no matt] h[ admirable   
its basic idea--no matt] h[ well ! au?or
 kn[s life & humanity1 w fail ( its     
appeal & be wor?less--= a play is       
wor?less t is unable to provide itself )
 p to play to4 ,! admiration ( a few    
libr>ians on acc\nt ( c]ta9 arrangem5ts 
( ! words & phrases :i* x may conta9 c  
give x no value z drama4 ,su* en?usiasm 
is n altoge!r unlike :at a b>b] might   
feel ov] ! exquisite way 9 :i* ! hair   
has be5 arranges on a corpse2 despite 8 
approval x becomes q necess>y to bury x4
  ,! play-writ]'s or playwright's "w1   
!n1 suppos+ t he possesses ! requisite k
 ( life z x is liv$ to g on )1 is to    
select or evolve f t k ! basic idea1    
plot or !me1 :i*1 skillfully display$1 w
 attract2 & !n to inv5t1 plan1 devise1 &
 con/ruct ! trap :]e9 x is to be us$ to 
sn>e ! sympa?ies1 etc41 ( audi5ces4  ,b 
audi5ces are a mo/ undep5dable & unusual
 species ( game4 ,f "t immemorial _!    
ta/es1 requirem5ts1 habits1 appetites1  

s5tim5ts & g5]al *>act]i/ics h und]gone 
con/ant *ange & modification2 & ?us     
cont9ues )\t pause to ! pres5t day4 ,!  
dramatic trap t w\ld "w l a *>m n long  
ago may n "w at all to-day2 ! successful
 trap ( to-day may be useless junk      
tomorr[4  ,x mu/ be obvi\s1 !n1 t =     
light & in/ruction on ! judici\s        
selection ( ! bait1 & on ! be/ me?od or 
me?ods ( devis+ ! trap :]e9 t bait is to
 be display$ 7t is to say ! play7 b "o  
?+ c avail2 & t "o ?+ is a mo/ dilig5t &
 con/ant /udy ( ! habits & ta/es ( ?is  
game :i* x is our bus9ess to capture--if
 we c4 ,to g = in=mation ab\t ^! ?+s to 
p sitt+ by _! firesides dream+ ( bygone 
days1 or1 inde$1 to g to anyone sitt+   
any:]e1 is m]ely humor\s4 ,! in=mation  
:i* ! dramati/ seeks _c be told--ev5 by 
^? :o "k4 ,= ! ga9+ ( su* k is !        
acquirem5t ( an in/9ct :i* enables its  
possessor automatically to make use ( ! 
effective 9 play-writ+ & con/ruction &  
devis+1 & automatically to %un !        
ineffective4 ,?is in/9ct mu/ be plant$ &

 n\ri%t by m or less 7m if possible7    
liv+ ) audi5ces1 until x becomes a "p ( 
! sy/em--yet con/antly al]t = ! necess>y
 modifications :i* correspond to !      
*anges :i* ! ta/es & requirem5ts ( ^!   
audi5ces und]go4  ,an education l ?is is
 likely to take ! dramati/ a great deal 
( "t--unless he is s =tunate z to be a  
g5ius4 ,p]haps ! ma9 diff]5ce betwe5 !  
play-writ+ g5ius & ! re/ ( u is t he c  
associate b briefly ) audi5ces & "k x   
all1 :]eas we mu/ sp5d our lives at x & 
"k b little4 ,i h nev] happ5$ to he> ( a
 g5ius ( ?is description2 b t is no     
argum5t aga9/ ! possibility ( 8 exi/5ce4
  ,z to ! tal5t$ au?ors ( ^! lett]s1 !y 
"k excell5tly well--e "o ( !m--h[ to    
write a play--or did :ile /ill          
alive--ev5 ?o "s ( !m see fit to d5y x2 
b !y _c tell u h[ to d x = ! v good     
reason t x _c be told4 ,_! *>m+ ef=ts to
 f9d a way out :5 corn]$ by su* an      
inquiry z appe>s to h be5 made to !m are
 surely wor? all _! tr\ble &            
annoyance--n to speak ( _! highly       

probable exasp]ation4                   
,william ,gillette 7,may1 #aiaf7        
99       99       99       99       99  
,h[ to ,write a ,play                   
,i4                        ,f mile      
,augi]4   ,my de> ,dreyfus3  ,y ask me !
 recipe = mak+ com$ies4 ,i don't "k x2 b
 ,i suppose x %\ld resemble some:at ! "o
 giv5 by ! s]geant to ! conscript = mak+
 cannon3  ,y take a hole & y p\r bronze 
ar\nd x4  ,if ?is is n ! only recipe1 x 
is at lea/ ! "o mo/ foll[$4 ,p]haps !re 
%\ld be ano!r :i* w\ld consi/ 9 tak+    
bronze & mak+ a hole ?ru ! c5t] & an    
op5+ = light at ! end4 ,9 cannon ?is    
hole is call$ ! core4 ,:at %\ld x be    
call$ 9 dramatic "w8 ,f9d ano!r "n1 if y
 don't l t "o4  ,^! are ! only          
directions ,i c give y4 ,add to !m1 if y
 wi%1 ?is c\nsel ( a wise man to a      
dramati/ 9 a difficulty3  ,soak y\r fif?
 act 9 g5tle te>s1 & salt ! o!r f\r )   
da%es ( wit4  ,i d n ?9k t ! au?or      
foll[$ ?is advice4                      
,cordially y\rs1                        

,e4 ,augi]         99       99       99 
99       99                             
,,ii4                      ,f ,?odore de
 ,banville4   ,my de> fri5d3  ,l all    
que/ions1 ! "q ( ! !at] is inf9itely m  
simple ?an is imag9$4 ,all poetics1 all 
dramatic criticism is conta9$ 9 !       
admirable dictum ( ,adolphe ,d5n]y3 ,x  
is n h>d to succe$ 9 ! !at]1 b x is     
extremely h>d to ga9 success !re ) a f9e
 play4  ,to see ?is cle>ly y mu/ consid]
 two que/ions :i* h no relation to ea*  
o!r3  #a4 ,h[ %\ld "o set ab\t compos+ a
 dramatic "w :i* %all succe$ & make     
money8  #b4 ,h[ %all "o set ab\t compos+
 a dramatic "w :i* %all be f9e & %all h 
"s hope ( survival8  ,reply to ! fir/   
"q3 ,no?+ is kn[n ab\t x2 = if any?+ 7  
kn[n e !at] w\ld e>n six ?\s& francs e  
ev5+4 ,nev]!less1 a play has "s *ance ( 
succe$+ & e>n+ money if1 :5 read to a   
naf p]son1 x moves him1 amuses him1     
makes him laugh or weep2 if x falls into
 ! h&s ( actors :o play x 9 ! prop] _s2 
& if at ! public p]=mance ! lead] ( !   

claque sees no hit* 9 x4  ,reply to !   
second "q3 ,to compose a dramatic "w :i*
 %all be f9e & %all live1 h g5ius6 ,!re 
is no o!r way4 ,9 art tal5t is no?+4    
,g5ius alone lives4 ,a poet ( g5ius     
comb9es 9 himself all poets pa/ &       
future1 j z ! fir/ p]son y meet comb9es 
9 himself all humanity pa/ & pres5t4 ,a 
man ( g5ius w create = 8 !at] a =m :i*  
has n exi/$ be=e him & :i* aft] him w   
suit no "o else4  ,t1 my fri5d1 is all t
 ,i "k1 & ,i believe t any?+ fur!r is a 
delusion4 ,^? :o are call$ m5 ( ! !at]  
7t is1 9 pla9 words1 unlett]$ m5 :o h n 
/udi$ any:]e b on ! /age7 h decre$ t a  
man kn[s ! !at] :5 he composes com$ies  
accord+ to ! p>ticul> =mula inv5t$ by   
,m4 ,scribe4 ,y might z well say t      
humanity began & end$ ) ,m4 ,scribe1 t x
 is he :o ate ! apple ) ,eve & :o wrote 
! ',leg5des des ,sicles1' ,good ,luck6  
,y\rs truly1                            
,?odore de ,banville         99       99
       99       99       99             
,,iii4                         ,f       

,adolphe ,d5n]y4   ,take an int]e/+ !me1
 a subject nei!r too new nor too old1   
nei!r too commonplace or too orig9al1--s
 z to avoid %ock+ ei!r ! vulg>-m9d$ or !
 delicate-s\l$4                         
,adolphe ,d5n]y4         99       99    
99       99       99                    
,,iv4                       ,f ,alex&re 
,dumas ,fils4   ,my de> fell[-craftsman 
& fri5d3  ,y ask me h[ a play is writt54
 ,y honor me greatly1 b y also greatly  
emb>rass me4  ,) /udy1 "w1 pati5ce1     
memory1 en]gy1 a man c ga9 a reputation 
z a pa9t]1 or a sculptor1 or a musician4
 ,9 ^? arts !re are mat]ial & me*anical 
proc$ures t he c make 8 own1 ?anks to   
ability1 & c atta9 to success4 ,! public
 to :om ^! works are submitt$1 hav+ none
 ( ! te*nical k involv$1 f ! beg9n+     
reg>d ! mak]s ( ^! works z _! sup]iors3 
,!y feel t ! arti/ c always reply to any
 criticism3 ,h y le>n$ pa9t+1 sculpture1
 music8 ,no8 ,!n don't talk s va9ly4 ,y 
_c judge4 ,y mu/ be ( ! craft to und]/& 
! beauties1 & s on4 ,x is ?us t !       

good-natur$ public is frequ5tly impos$  
on1 9 pa9t+1 9 sculpture1 9 music1 by   
c]ta9 s*ools & celebrities4 ,x does n   
d>e to prote/4 ,b ) reg>d to drama &    
com$y ! situation is alt]$4 ,! public is
 an int]e/$ p>ty to ! proce$+s & appe>s1
 s to speak1 = ! prosecution 9 ! case4  
,! language t we use 9 our play is !    
language us$ by ! spectators e day2 !   
s5tim5ts t we depict are !irs2 ! p]sons 
:om we set to act+ are ! spectators     
!mselves 9 in/antly recogniz$ passions &
 famili> situations4 ,no prep>atory     
/udies are necess>y2 no initiation 9 a  
/udio or s*ool is indisp5sable2 eyes to 
see1 e>s to he>--t's all !y ne$4 ,!     
mom5t we dep>t1 ,i w n say f ! tru?1 b f
 :at !y ?9k is tru?1 !y /op li/5+4 ,= 9 
! !at]1 z 9 life1 ( :i* ! !at] is !     
reflexion1 !re are two k9ds ( tru?2     
fir/1 ! absolute tru?1 :i* always 9 !   
end prevails1 & secondly1 if n ! false1 
at lea/ ! sup]ficial tru?1 :i* consi/s (
 cu/oms1 mann]s1 social conv5tions2 !   
uncompromis+ tru? :i* revolts1 & !      

pliant tru? :i* yields to human         
weakness2 9 %ort1 ! tru? ( ,alce/e & t (
 ,phil9te4  ,x is only by mak+ e k9d (  
concession to ! second t we c succe$ 9  
end+ ) ! fir/4 ,! spectators1 l all     
sov]eigns--l k+s1 nations1 & wom5--d n l
 to be told ! tru?1 all ! tru?4 ,let me 
add quickly t !y h an excuse1 :i* is t  
!y d n "k ! tru?2--!y h r>ely be5 told  
x4 ,!y !re=e wi% to be flatt]$1 piti$1  
consol$1 tak5 away f _! preoccupations &
 _! worries1 :i* are ne>ly all due to   
ignorance1 b :i* !y consid] ! greate/ & 
mo/ unm]it$ to be f\nd any:]e1 because  
_! own4  ,?is is n all2 by a curi\s     
optical effect1 ! spectators always see 
!mselves 9 ! p]sonages :o are good1     
t5d]1 g5]\s1 h]oic :om we place on !    
bo>ds2 & 9 ! p]sonages :o are vici\s or 
ridicul\s !y nev] see anyone b _!       
neighbors4 ,h[ c y expect !n t ! tru? we
 tell !m c d !m any good8  ,b ,i see t  
,i am n answ]+ y\r "q at all4  ,y ask me
 to tell y h[ a play is made1 & ,i tell 
y1 or r ,i try to tell y1 :at mu/ be put

 into x4  ,well1 my de> fri5d1 if y want
 me to be q frank1 ,i'll own up t ,i    
don't "k h[ to write a play4 ,"o day a  
long "t ago1 :5 ,i 0 sc>cely out (      
s*ool1 ,i ask$ my fa!r ! same "q4 ,he   
answ]$3 ,x's v simple2 ! fir/ act cle>1 
! la/ act %ort1 & all ! acts int]e/+4   
,! recipe is 9 reality v simple4 ,! only
 ?+ t is ne$$ 9 addition is to "k h[ to 
c>ry x out4 ,!re ! difficulty beg9s4 ,! 
man to :om ?is recipe is giv5 is some:at
 l ! cat t has f\nd a nut4 ,he turns x 9
 e direction ) 8 paw because he he>s    
some?+ mov+ 9 ! %ell--b he c't op5 x4 ,9
 o!r words1 !re are ^? :om f _! bir? "k 
h[ to write a play 7,i d n say t ! gift 
is h]$it>y72 & !re are ^? :o d n "k at  
once--& ^! w nev] "k4 ,y are a dramati/1
 or y are n2 nei!r w-p[] nor "w has     
any?+ to d ) x4 ,! gift is indisp5sable4
 ,i ?9k t e "o :om y may ask h[ to write
 a play w reply1 if he really c write   
"o1 t he doesn't "k h[ x is done4 ,x is 
a little z if y 7 to ask ,romeo :at he  
did to fall 9 love ) ,juliet & to make  

h] love him2 he w\ld reply t he did n   
"k1 t x simply happ5$4                  
,truly y\rs1                            
,a4 ,dumas fils4         99       99    
99       99       99                    
,v4                            ,f       
,edmond ,gond9et4   ,my de> fri5d3  ,:at
 is my way ( work+8 ,x is deplorable4 ,d
 n recomm5d x to any "o4 ,:5 ! idea = a 
play occurs to me1 ,i nev] ask myself   
:e!r x w be possible to make a ma/]piece
 out ( x2 ,i ask :e!r ! subject w be    
amus+ to treat4 ,a little pleasure 9 ?is
 life tempts me a great deal m ?an a    
bu/1 ev5 ( m>ble1 aft] ,i am gone4 ,)   
su* s5tim5ts "o nev] accompli%es any?+  
great4  ,besides1 ,i h ! capital defect 
= a man ( ! !at] ( nev] be+ able to beat
 x into my head t ! public w be int]e/$ 
9 ! m>riage ( ,ar?ur & ,colombe2 &      
nev]!less t is ! key to ! :ole          
situation4 ,y simply mu/ suppose !      
public a trifle naf1--& be s y\rself4   
,i %\ld be s will+ly1 b ,i c't br+      
myself to admit t o!rs are4  ,= a long  

"t ,i imag9$ t ! details1 if !y 7 +5i\s1
 w\ld please ! public z mu* z an        
intrigue ( :i* ! ultimate result is     
usually giv5 9 ! fir/ sc5e4 ,i 0        
absolutely wrong1 & ,i h suff]$ = x m   
?an once4 ,b at my age "o doesn't re=m4 
,:5 ,i h drawn up ! plan1 ,i no long]   
want to write ! piece4 ,y see t ,i am a 
dete/able collaborator4 ,say s1 if y    
speak to me1 b don't hold me up z a     
model4                                  
,edmond ,gond9et4         99       99   
99       99       99                    
,,vi4                           ,,f     
,eugne ,labi*e4   ,ev]yone writes 9     
accordance ) 8 inspiration & 8          
temp]am5t4 ,"s s+ a gay note1 o!rs f9d m
 pleasure 9 mak+ p weep4  ,z = me1 ?is  
is my proc$ure3  ,:5 ,i h no idea1 ,i   
gnaw my nails & invoke ! aid (          
,provid5ce4  ,:5 ,i h an idea1 ,i /ill  
invoke ! aid ( ,provid5ce1--b ) less    
f]vor1 because ,i ?9k ,i c get along )\t
 x4  ,x is q human1 b q ungrateful4  ,i 
h !n an idea1 or ,i ?9k ,i h "o4  ,i    

take a quire ( :ite pap]1 l95 pap]--on  
any o!r k9d ,i c imag9e no?+--& ,i write
 on ! fir/ page3                        
,,plan4  ,by ! plan ,i mean ! develop$  
succession1 sc5e by sc5e1 ( ! :ole      
piece1 f ! beg9n+ to ! end4  ,s long z  
"o has n rea*$ ! end ( 8 play he has    
nei!r ! beg9n+ nor ! middle4 ,?is "p ( !
 "w is obvi\sly ! mo/ labori\s4 ,x is ! 
creation1 ! p>turition4  ,z soon z my   
plan is complete1 ,i g ov] x & ask      
conc]n+ ea* sc5e its purpose1 :e!r x    
prep>es = or develops a "* or situation1
 & !n :e!r x advances ! action4 ,a play 
is a ?\s&-legg$ creature :i* mu/ keep on
 go+4 ,if x sl[s up1 ! public yawns2 if 
x /ops1 ! public hisses4  ,to write a   
sprightly play y mu/ h a good dige/ion4 
,sprightl9ess resides 9 ! /oma*4        
,eugne ,labi*e4         99       99     
99       99       99                    
,,vii4                         ,f ,erne/
 ,leg\v4   ,y ask me h[ a play is made4 
,by beg9n+ at ! end4  ,a novel is q a   
diff]5t matt]4  ,walt] ,scott1 ! great  

,walt] ,scott1 sat d[n ( a morn+ at 8   
/udy-table1 took six %eets ( pap] &     
wrote ',*apt] ,"o1' )\t kn[+ any?+ else 
ab\t 8 /ory ?an ! fir/ *apt]4 ,he set =?
 8 *>act]s1 he indicat$ ! situation2 !n 
situation & *>act]s got out ( ! affair z
 be/ !y c\ld4 ,!y 7 left to create      
!mselves by ! logic ( ev5ts4  ,eugne    
,sue (t5 told me t x 0 impossible = him 
to draw up a plan4 ,x b5umb$ him4 ,8    
imag9ation ne$$ ! %ock ( ! un=ese52 to  
surprize ! public he _h to be surpriz$  
himself4 ,m ?an once at ! end ( an      
in/alm5t ( "o ( 8 s]ial /ories he left 8
 *>act]s 9 an inextricable situation (  
:i* he himself did n "k ! outcome4      
,george ,s& frequ5tly />t$ a novel on ! 
/r5g? ( a phrase1 a ?\ght1 a page1 a    
l&scape4 ,x 0 n %e :o guid$ h] p51 b h] 
p5 :i* guid$ h]4 ,%e />t$ out ) !       
int5tion ( writ+ "o volume & %e wrote   
t54 ,%e might int5d to write t5 & %e    
wrote only "o4 ,%e dream$ ( a happy     
end+1 & !n %e conclud$ ) a suicide4  ,b 
nev] h ,scribe1 or ,dumas pre1 or ,dumas

 fils1 or ,augi]1 or ,labi*e1 or ,s>d\1 
writt5 ,sc5e ,"o )\t kn[+ :at !y 7 go+  
to put into ! la/ sc5e4 ,a po9t (       
dep>ture 0 = !m no?+ b an int]rogation  
po9t4 ,:]e are y go+ to lead me8 !y w\ld
 ask x2 & !y w\ld accept x only if x l$ 
!m to a f9al po9t1 or to ! c5tral po9t  
:i* det]m9$ all ! /ages ( ! r\te1       
includ+ ! fir/4  ,! novel is a j\rney 9 
a c>riage4 ,y make /ops1 y sp5d a night 
at ! inn1 y get out to look at ! c\ntry1
 y turn aside to take breakfa/ 9 "s *>m+
 spot4 ,:at diff]5ce does x make to y z 
a travel]8 ,y are 9 no hurry4 ,y\r      
object is n to arrive any:]e1 b to f9d  
amusem5t :ile on ! road4 ,y\r true goal 
is ! trip itself4  ,a play is a railway 
j\rney by an express tra9--=ty miles an 
h\r1 & f "t to "t t5 m9utes /op = !     
int]missions2 & if ! locomotive ceases  
ru%+ & hiss+ y hiss4  ,all ?is does n   
mean t !re are no dramatic ma/]pieces   
:i* d n run s fa/ or t !re 0 n an au?or 
( great tal5t1 ,molire1 :o (t5 br\ght   
ab\t 8 end+ by ! grace ( ,god4 ,only1   

let me add t to secure absolution = !   
la/ act ( ',t>tuffe' y mu/ h writt5 !   
fir/ f\r4                               
,erne/ ,leg\v4         99       99      
99       99       99                    
,,viii4                       ,f d\>d   
,paill]on4   ,y ask me h[ a play is     
made1 my de> ,dreyfus4 ,i may well      
a/oni% y1 p]haps1 b on my s\l & honor1  
be=e ,god & man1 ,i assure to y t ,i "k 
no?+ ab\t x1 t y "k no?+1 t nobody kn[s 
any?+1 & t ! au?or ( a play kn[s less   
ab\t x ?an any "o else4  ,y don't       
believe me8  ,let u see4  ,"h is a      
capable g5tleman1 a man ( ! !at]1 a     
dramati/ acclaim$ a score ( times1 at ! 
height ( 8 p[]s1 9 full success4 ,he has
 writt5 a com$y4 ,he has be/[$ ^u x all 
8 c>e1 all 8 "t1 all 8 ability4 ,he has 
left no?+ to *ance4  ,he has j f9i%t x1 
& is cont5t4 ,accord+ to ! consecrat$   
expression1 x is c]ta9 to g4 ,b z he is 
cauti\s1 he does n rely entirely ^u 8   
own op9ion4 ,he consults 8              
fri5ds--fell[-work]s1 skillful z he1    

successful z he4 ,he reads to !m 8      
piece4 ,i w n say t !y are              
satisfi$--ano!r ^w is ne$$--b at any    
rate1 ) m reason ?an ev]1 x is c]ta9 to 
g4  ,he seeks out a manag]1 an old /ag] 
:o has e opportunity = be+ cle>-head$1  
because ( 8 exp]i5ce1 & e reason = be+  
exact+1 because ( 8 self-int]e/4 ,he    
gives him ! manuscript1 & z soon z !    
manag] gets a fair notion ( ! piece1 ?is
 ,napoleon ( ! /age1 ?is /rategi/ (     
success1 is seiz$ by a pr(\nd emotion1 b
 "o easy to compreh5d 9 ! case ( a man  
:o is conv9c$ t five hundr$ ?\s& francs 
h j be5 plac$ 9 8 h&4 ,he exults1 he    
%\ts1 he presses ! au?or 9 8 arms1 he   
ra9s ^u him ! mo/ flatt]+ adjectives1   
beg9n+ ) sublime & m\nt+ upw>d4 ,he     
calls him ! mo/ honi$ names3 ,%aksp]e1  
,duv]t & ,lauzanne1 ,ross9i1            
,(f5ba*--accord+ to ! k9d ( !at] he     
directs4 ,he is n only satisfi$1 he is  
delight$1 he is radiant--x is c]ta9 to  
g4  ,wait6 ,t is n all4 ,x is read to ! 
actors--! same en?usiasm6 ,all are      

satisfi$1 if n ) ! play--!y h n he>d x  
yet--at lea/ ) _! p>ts4 ,all are        
satisfi$6 ,x is c]ta9 to g4  ,!reupon   
rehe>sals are held = two mon?s be=e ^?  
:o h ! fre$om ( ! !at]1 :o sit          
successively 9 ! dep?s ( ! d>k hall & %[
 ! same delirium4 ,ev5 ! sixty firem5 on
 duty :o1 dur+ ^! sixty rehe>sals1 h    
inv>iably laught & wept at ! same       
passages4 ,yet x is well kn[n t !       
fireman is ! mod]n ,la=t ( our mod]n    
,molires1 z ,m4 ,prud'homme w\ld say1 & 
t :5 ! fireman is satisfi$--x is c]ta9  
to g6  ,! dress rehe>sal arrives4 ,a    
triumph6 ,bravos6 ,encores6 ,%\ts6      
,recalls6 ,all ( ! signs ( success--&   
note t ! public on ?is ev5+ ( rehe>sal )
 ! exception ( a small & insignificant  
cont+5t1 w be ! public ( ! fir/ p]=mance
 ! next night4 ,x is c]ta9 to g1 ,i tell
 y6 ,c]ta96 ,absolutely c]ta96  ,on ?is 
next night ! piece is pres5t$4 ,x falls 
flat6 ,well1 !n8  ,if ! au?or kn[s :at  
he is do+1 if he is ! ma/] ( 8 me?od1   
expla9 to me !n :y1 aft] hav+ writt5    

tw5ty good pieces1 he writes a bad "o8  
,& don't tell me t failure proves       
no?+--y w\ld pa9 me1 my fri5d4  ,i d n  
int5d to d5y1 y mu/ und]/&1 ! value (   
tal5t & skill & exp]i5ce4 ,!y are1      
philosophically speak+1 important       
elem5ts4 ,b 9 :at proportions d !y      
contribute to ! result8 ,t's :at1 let me
 repeat1 nobody kn[s1 ! au?or z little z
 anybody else4  ,! au?or 9 travail ) a  
play is an unconsci\s be+1 :atev] he may
 ?9k ab\t himself2 & 8 piece is !       
product ( in/9ct r ?an ( int5tion4      
,believe me1 my de> ,dreyfus1 9 ?is z 9 
ev]y?+1 ! clev]e/ ( u does :at he c1 &  
if he succe$s1 he says t he has done    
exactly :at he tri$ to d4 ,t's ! tru?4  
,9 reality an au?or kn[s sometimes :at  
he has tri$ to d1 r>ely :at he has      
done2--& z to kn[+ h[ he did x1 ,i defy 
him6  ,!n if x is good1 let him try     
aga96 ,i _c rec$e f ?is view4  ,9 our   
craft1 y see1 !re is an elem5t (        
unrebeg9nable :i* makes x an art1 some?+
 ( g5ius :i* ennobles x1 some?+ ( !     

fatally unc]ta9 :i* r5d]s x bo? *>m+ &  
r$\btable4 ,to try to pick ! ma/]piece  
to pieces1 to unscrew ! ideal1 to pluck 
! he>t out ( ! my/]y1 aft] ! fa%ion ( ! 
baby :o looks = ! little insect 9 !     
wat*1 is to attempt a va9 & pu]ile ?+4  
,ah6 if ,i _h ! "t--b ,i hav5't ! "t4 ,s
 x's j z well1 or bett]1 t ,i /op4 ,to  
talk too mu* ab\t art is n a good sign 9
 an arti/4 ,x is l a lov]'s talk+ too   
mu* ab\t love2 if ,i 7 a woman ,i %\ld h
 my d\bts4  ,well1 d y wi% me to        
dis5gage ! philosophy ( ?is g>rulity8 ,x
 is f\nd :ole & entire 9 an apolog ( my 
son--he too a philosoph] )\t kn[+ x4 ,he
 0 !n sev54 ,z a result ( le>n+ fables  
he 0 seiz$ ) ! ambition ( writ+ "o1 :i* 
he br\ght to me "o f9e day4 ,x is call$ 
! ',donkey & ! ,can>y4' ,! v]ses are    
p]haps a trifle long1 b !re are only    
two4 ,t's ! comp5sation4 ,"h !y are4  ,!
 can>y once sang2 & ! ass askt him h[ he
 c\ld le>n ?is to d8  ,i op5 my bill1   
said ! bird2 & ,i say y1 y1 y6  ,well1 !
 ass1 t's y--don't get angry4 ,! can>y1 

t's ,i4 ,:5 ,i s+ ,i op5 my bill & ,i   
say1 y1 y1 y6  ,t's all t ,i c tell y4  
d\>d ,paill]on4         99       99     
99       99       99                    
,,ix4                         ,f        
,victori5 ,s>d\4   ,my de> fri5d3  ,x's 
n s easy to answ] y z y ?9k4 444,!re is 
no "o necess>y way ( writ+ a play = !   
!at]4 ,ev]yone has 8 own1 accord+ to 8  
temp]am5t1 8 type ( intellect1 & 8      
habits ( "w4 ,if y ask me = m9e1 ,i %\ld
 tell y t x is n s easy to =mulate z !  
recipe = duck  la r\5naise or spr+ *ick5
 au gros sel4 ,n fifty l9es are ne$$1 b 
two or ?ree hundr$1 & ev5 !n ,i %\ld h  
told y only my way ( work+1 :i* has no  
g5]al significance & makes no pret5se to
 be+ ! be/4 ,x's natural ) me1 t's all4 
,besides1 y w f9d x indicat$ 9 "p 9 !   
preface to ',la ,ha9e' & 9 a lett] :i*  
,i wrote to ,la ,pomm]aye ab\t ',fdora4'
  ,9 brief1 my de> fri5d1 ?o !re are    
rules1 & rules t are inv>iable1 precise1
 & et]nal = ! dramatic art1 rules :i*   
only ! impot5t1 ! ignorant1 blockheads1 

& fools misund]/&1 & f :i* only !y wi%  
to be fre$1 yet !re is only "o true     
me?od = ! conception & p>turition ( a   
play--:i* is1 to "k q exactly :]e y are 
go+ & to take ! be/ road t leads !re4   
,h[ev]1 "s walk1 o!rs ride 9 a c>riage1 
"s g by tra91 ,x hobbles along1 ,hugo   
sails 9 a balloon4 ,"s drop beh9d on !  
way1 o!rs run pa/ ! goal4 ,?is "o rolls 
9 ! dit*1 t "o w&]s along a cross-road4 
,9 %ort1 t "o goes /raight to ! m>k :o  
has ! mo/ common s5se4 ,x is ! gift :i* 
,i wi% = y--& myself also4              
,victori5 ,s>d\4         99       99    
99       99       99                    
,x4                          ,f mile    
,zola4   ,my de> ,comrade3  ,y ask h[ ,i
 write my plays4 ,alas6 ,i %\ld r tell y
 h[ ,i d n write !m4  ,h y notic$ !     
small numb] ( new writ]s :o take _!     
*ances 9 ! !at]8 ,! explanation is t 9  
reality1 = our g5]ation ( free arti/s1 !
 !at] is repugnant1 ) its cook]y1 its   
hobbles1 its dem& = imm$iate & brutal   
success1 its army ( collaborators1 to   

:i* "o mu/ submit1 f ! impos+ lead+ man 
d[n to ! prompt]4 ,h[ mu* m indep5d5t   
are we 9 ! novel6 ,& t's :y1 :5 ! glamor
 ( ! footlights makes ! blood dance1 we 
pref] to ex]cise x by keep+ alo( & to   
rema9 ! absolute ma/]s ( our works4 ,9 !
 !at] we are ask$ to submit to too mu*4 
,let me add t 9 my own case ,i h h>ness$
 myself to a gr\p ( novels :i* w take   
tw5ty-five ye>s ( my life4 ,! !at] is a 
dissipation :i* ,i %all d\btless n p]mit
 myself until ,i am v old4  ,aft] all1  
if ,i c\ld indulge 9 ! !at]4 ,i %\ld try
 to make plays mu* less ?an is ! cu/om4 
,9 lit]ature tru? is always 9 inv]se    
proportion to ! con/ruction4 ,i mean    
?is3 ,! com$ies ( ,molire are sometimes 
( a /ructure h>dly adequate1 :ile ^? (  
,scribe are (t5 ,p>isian articles (     
m>vell\s manufacture4                   
,v cordially y\rs1                      
mile ,zola4         99       99       99
       99       99                      
,,notes   ,,abraham ,,dreyfus 7#ahdg-7 0
 ! au?or ( half a doz5 +5i\s little     

plays1 mo/ly conf9$ to a s+le act4 ,"o (
 !m1 ',un ,crane sans un ,tempte1'      
adapt$ into ,engli% z ! ',sil5t ,sy/em1'
 0 act$ 9 ,new ,york by ,coquel9 &      
,agnes ,boo?4 ,dreyfus 0 also ! au?or ( 
two volumes ( lively sket*es lightly    
satiriz+ diff]5t aspects ( ! ,fr5*      
/age1--',scnes de la vie de ?tre'       
7#ahhj7 & ',l',inc5die des              
,folies-,pla/iques' 7#ahhf74  ,9 ! ,spr+
 ( #ahhd he deliv]$ an address on ! art 
( playmak+ be=e ! ,c]cle ,arti/ique et  
,littraire ( ,brussels4 ,?is lecture 0  
entitl$ ',comm5t se fait une pice de    
?tre2' & x 0 pr9t$ privately 9 an       
edition limit$ to fifty copies1 7,p>is3 
,a4 ,quant91 #ahhd74 ,9 ! c\rse ( ?is   
address he read lett]s receiv$ by him f 
t5 or twelve ( ! mo/ di/+ui%t dramati/s 
( ,france 9 response to 8 reque/ =      
in=mation z to _! me?ods ( composition4 
,x 0 to ^! lett]s t ! lecture ow$ its   
int]e/ & its value4 ,:at ,m4 ,dreyfus   
contribut$ himself 0 little m ?an a     
runn+ comm5t>y on ! correspond5ce t he  

_h collect$4 ,?is comm5t>y 0            
*>act]i/ically clev]1 brisk1 bright &   
amus+2 b its int]e/ 0 p>tly p]sonal1    
p>tly local1 & p>tly contempor>y4 ,!    
int]e/ ( ! lett]s !mselves is p]man5t2 &
 ?is is ! reason :y x has seem$         
advisable to select ! mo/ significant ( 
!m & to pres5t !m "h un9cumb]$ by ! less
 useful rem>ks ( ! lectur]4  mile ,augi]
 7#ahbj-ahhi7 disputes ) ,alex&re ,dumas
 ! =emo/ place among ! ,fr5* dramati/s (
 ! second half ( ! n9ete5? c5tury4 ,!   
',g5dre de ,m4 ,poiri]' 7:i* he wrote 9 
collaboration ) ,jules ,s&eau7 is !     
ma/]piece ( mod]n com$y1 a wor?y        
successor to ! ',t>tuffe' ( ,molire & ! 
',m>riage ( ,fig>o' ( ,beaum>*ais4      
,?odore de ,banville 7#ahbc-ahia7 0 a   
poet r ?an a playwright4 ,al?o he       
compos$ half-a-doz5 little pieces 9     
v]se1 ! only "o ( 8 dramatic ef=ts :i*  
really succe$$ 9 e/abli%+ itself on !   
/age1 0 ',gr+oire1' a "o-act com$y 9    
prose2 & ?is met ) a m =tunate fate ?an 
its m fanta/ic companions only because  

,banville revis$ & /r5g!n$ 8 plot 9     
accordance ) ! skilful sugge/ions (     
,coquel91 :o creat$ ! "p ( ! />v+ poet4 
,adolphe ,d5n]y 7#ahaa-ahii7 0 ! mo/    
adroit & f]tile ( melodramati/s 9 !     
midye>s ( ! n9ete5? c5tury4 ,p]haps 8   
be/ play 0 ',don ,cs> de ,bazan'2 &     
p]haps 8 mo/ popul> play 0 ! ',two      
,orphans4'  ,alex&re ,dumas fils        
7#ahbd-ahie7 0 ! son ( ! au?or ( !      
',?ree ,gu>dsm5'2 & he inh]it$ f 8 fa!r 
! native gift ( playmak+1 :i* he decl>$ 
9 ?is lett] to be ! indisp5sable        
qualification ( ! successful dramati/4  
,8 ',dame aux ,camlias' has held ! /age 
= m ?an sixty ye>s & has be5 p]=m$      
hundr$s ( times 9 e mod]n language4     
,edmond ,gond9et 7#ahbh-ahhh7 0 ! au?or 
( a ho/ ( pleasant pieces1 mo/ly com$ies
 9 f "o to ?ree acts1 & mo/ly writt5 9  
collaboration4 ,he believ$ t he pref]r$ 
to write alone & t only 8 good nature   
kept tempt+ him into work+ ) o!rs4 ,x 0 
probably to w>n away ^? :o want$ to br+ 
him _! manuscripts = exp]t revision t l$

 him to ass]t 9 ?is lett] t he 0 a      
dete/able collaborator4  ,erne/ ,leg\v  
7#ahjg-aijc7 0 ! collaborator ( ,scribe 
9 ! composition ( ',bataille de ,dames' 
& ',adri5ne ,lec\vreur4' ,9 8 delightful
 recollections1 ',soixante ,ans de      
,s\v5irs' he has a *apt] on ,scribe 9   
:i* he describes ! me?ods ( t           
ma/]-craftsman 9 dramatic con/ruction2 &
 9 "o ( 8 ',confr5ces ,p>isi5nes' he    
sets =? ! successive /eps by :i* ano!r  
dramati/1 ,b\illy1 0 able to comp\nd 8  
pa!tic piece1 ! ',abb de l',epe'2--two  
pap]s :i* des]ve c>eful /udy by all :o  
wi% to appreh5d ! pr9ciples ( playmak+4 
,eugne ,labi*e 7#ahae-ahhh7 0 ! mo/     
prolific ( ! comic dramati/s ( ,france 9
 ! n9ete5? c5tury & ! mo/ ri*ly end[$ ) 
comic =ce4 ,mo/ ( 8 pieces are frankly  
f>cical1 b n a few ( !m rise to ! level 
( true com$y4 ,! solid m]it ( 8 be/ "w  
is cordially recogniz$ 9 ! lum9\s       
preface writt5 by ,augi] = ! complete   
collection ( ,labi*e's com$ies4  d\>d   
,paill]on 7#ahcd-ahii7 0 a comic        

dramati/ ( m aspiration ?an inspiration2
 & yet he succe$$ 9 writ+ "o ( ! mo/    
popul> pieces ( 8 "t2--! ',monde o l'on 
s'nnuie4'  ,victori5 ,s>d\ 7#ahca-aijh7 
0 probably ! ,fr5* playwright :o 0 mo/  
widely kn[n outside ( ,france4 ,9 !     
c\rse ( fifty ye>s he 0 successful 9    
almo/ e k9d ( playwrit+1 f lively f>ce  
to hi/oric drama4 ,8 fir/ indisputable  
triumph 0 ) ',pattes de ,m\*e1' kn[n 9  
,engli% z ! ',scrap ( ,pap]' & z widely 
popul> 9 our language z 9 ! orig9al4    
mile ,zola 7#ahdj-aijb7 0 a noveli/ :o  
repeat$ly s\ght = success z a dramati/1 
atta9+ x only 9 ! adaptations ( 8 /ories
 made by pr(essional playwrights4 ,yet  
"o ( 8 e>li] pieces1 ',?rse ,raqu9' is  
evid5ce t he might h ma/]$ ! art ( !    
playwright1 if he _h n all[$ himself to 
be misl$ by 8 own un=tunate !ory ( !    
!atre z set =? 9 8 sev]e /udies ( ',nos 
,auteurs ,dramatiques' 7#ahha74  ,9 !   
',anne ,psy*ologique' = #ahid ! di/+ui%t
 physiological psy*ologi/1 ! late ,alfr$
 ,b9et1--to :om we are indebt$ = !      

useful ,b9et te/s--publi%t a s]ies (    
pap]s deal+ ) ! psy*ology ( !           
playwright1 9 ! prep>ation ( :i* he 0   
aid$ by ,m4,j4 ,passy4 ,! two           
inve/igators _h a s]ies ( int]views )   
,s>d\1 ,dumas fils1 ,paill]on1 ,meilhac1
 ,daudet1 & ,edmond de ,gonc\rt4 ,al?o  
,daudet & ,gonc\rt _h writt5 plays !y 7 
ess5tially noveli/s ) no in/9ctive      
und]/&+ ( ! drama z a specific art4 ,nor
 did ei!r ,paill]on & ,meilhac make any 
contribution ( importance4 ,b ,dumas &  
,s>d\ 7 bo? ( !m born playwrights ( ke5 
intellig5ce1 hav+ a def9ite und]/&+ ( ! 
pr9ciples ( playmak+2 & :at !y said to  
,m4 ,b9et & 8 associate 0 int]e/+ &     
significant4  ,dumas decl>$ t he made no
 notes = any ( 8 plays & t he nev]      
compos$ a detail$ sc5>io4 ,he ?\ght (   
only "o piece at a "t1 brood+ ov] x =   
long mon?s sometimes1 & !n ?r[+ x on    
pap] almo/ at :ite heat1 if x dealt )   
passion4 ,if1 on ! o!r h&1 x 0 a com$y (
 "*1 a /udy ( social conditions1 !      
actual composition 0 necess>ily m       

leisurely & protract$4 ,he _h c>ri$ 9   
m9d = six or sev5 ye>s ! !me (          
',monsieur ,alphonse2' & he _h actually 
put x on pap] 9 sev5te5 days4 ,he _h    
writt5 ! ',pr9cesse ,georges' 9 ?ree    
weeks & ! ',etrangre' 9 a mon?2 & !     
second act ( ! ',dame aux ,camlias' _h  
be5 p5n$ 9 a s+le session ( f\r h\rs4 ,b
 he _h toil$ sev5 or eight h\rs a day = 
elev5 mon?s ov] ! ',demi-,monde1' !     
second act alone co/+ him two mon?s     
labor4 ,he r>ely modifi$ :at he _h      
writt5 by m9or corrections2 b sometimes1
 :5 8 play 0 complet$1 he discov]$ t x 0
 weak 9 its /ructure or inadequate 9 its
 motivation1 9 :i* case he recon/ruct$  
"o or m acts1 or ev5 ! :ole play1 writ+ 
x all ov] aga94  ,m4 ,dumas admitt$ t he
 took little int]e/ 9 ! sett+ ( 8 plays 
or 9 ! manifold details (               
/age-managem5t4 ,he indicat$ summ>ily ! 
k9d ( room t he desir$2 & he put d[n 9 8
 manuscript only ! absolutely necess>y  
movem5ts ( 8 *>act]s4 ,! re/ he left to 
! manag] & ! /age-manag]4  ,"h--z inde$ 

ev]y:]e1--,dumas reveal$ himself 9 !    
%>pe/ contra/ ) ,s>d\1 :o design$ 8 sets
 himself & plac$ 8 furniture precisely  
:]e he ne$$ x = ! action ( 8 play1      
sometimes f9d+ t a giv5 sc5e seem$ to   
him to lose half its effect if x 0 act$ 
on ! left side ( ! /age in/ead ( ! "r4  
,he 0 a con/ant note-tak]1 putt+ d[n    
sugge/ions = s+le sc5es or = /rik+      
sugge/ions1 z ^! might occur to him2 & z
 a result ( ?is incessant c]ebral       
activity he _h always on h& m or less   
complete plots = at lea/ fifty plays4   
,:5 he decid$ to write "o ( ^! pieces1  
he assembl$ 8 scatt]$ notes1 set !m 9   
ord]1 amplifi$ & /r5g!n$ !m2 & :5 at la/
 he saw 8 way cle> he made out an       
elaborate & detail$ sc5>io1 conta9+ !   
:ole /ory1 ) ample indication ( all !   
*anges ( feel+ :i* might take place 9   
any ( ! *>act]s 9 any sc5e4  ,!n :5 he  
felt himself 9 ! "r mood1 he fev]i%ly   
improviz$ ! play1 laugh+ ov] ! jokes1   
weep+ ov] ! pa!tic mom5ts & objurgat+ ! 
evil de$s ( ! m despicable *>act]s4 ,b  

?is 0 only a fir/ draft ( ! play2 & x _h
 to be gone ov] ?ree or f\r times1      
alt]$1 cond5s$1 %>p5$1 tight5$ 9 effect4
 ,! fir/ v]sion 0 always too long2 & !  
successive revisions r$uc$ x to sc>cely 
m ?an a half ( its orig9al l5g?4        
,sometimes he 0 able to compact into a  
s+le pregnant phrase ! sub/ance ( a     
spee* ( _m l9es4 ,& z ! play sl[ly took 
on its f9al =m ,s>d\ n only he>d e ^w   
:i* e "* _h to speak1 he also saw e "o (
 ! movem5ts :i* w\ld animate ! action4  
,m4 ,b9et rem9d$ him t :5 ,scribe &     
,leg\v 7 collaborat+ on ',adri5ne       
,lec\vreur1' ,scribe ass]t$ t he        
visualiz$ all t ! actors w\ld d1 :ile   
,leg\v he>d all t !y w\ld say2 & ,s>d\  
!n claim$ t he 0 =tunate 9 possess+ !   
d\ble faculty ( bo? see+ & he>+4  ,(    
c\rse1 ,s>d\ /age-manag$ 8 plays        
himself1 tea*+ ! p]=m]s c>efully1 & go+ 
^u ! /age1 if ne$ be1 to act ! sc5e z he
 want$ x to be act$1 indicat+ !         
expression1 ! intonation & ! ge/ure :i* 
he felt to be dem&$ by ! situation4  ,he

 0 equally meticul\s 9 design+ ! sc5]y &
 ! co/umes2 & he 0 inexorable 9 insi/+  
on ! c>ry+ out ( 8 wi%es4 ,he _h a      
lively int]e/ 9 pa9t+1 9 sculpture & 9  
ar*itecture2 &1 9 fact1 he confe/1 t if 
he _h n be5 a playwright he w\ld l to h 
be5 an ar*itect4 ,?is1 x may be not$1 is
 con=mation ( ! /atem5t t !re is a /rong
 simil>ity betwe5 ! art ( ar*itecture & 
! art ( ! drama1 due to ! fact t bo?    
arts are "u ! necessity ( provid+ a     
solid /ructure to su/a9 ! fabric & to   
support ! decoration4                   
,b4,m4         99       99       99     
99       99  ,,( ,,?is ,,book ,,?ree    
,,hundr$ ,,& ,,?irty-,,?ree ,,copies ,,7
 ,,pr9t$ ,,f ,,type ,,by ,,corlies1     
,,macy ,,& ,,company ,,9 ,,septemb]2    
,,mcmxvi