By Force of Impulse: A Drama in Five Acts

"By Force of Impulse: A Drama in Five Acts" by Harry V. Vogt is a dramatic work likely written in the late 19th century. This play features a diverse cast of characters, including Morris Maitland, a stern Puritan, and Reginald Maitland, his noble son, amidst various other figures representing different societal archetypes. It explores themes of love, duty, and the conflicts between personal desires and societal expectations. At the start of the drama, the audience is introduced to George Washington Dollerclutch, a lawyer, who is portrayed as frustrated and humorous due to his interactions with his servant, Coriolanus. Hilda Wallace enters, revealing her plight involving love and identity, leading to the complex dynamics unfolding between her and Ralph Murdell, her alleged husband, and her mistress, Adrienne Lowville. The opening scene sets up the intricacies of relationships and personal struggles against the backdrop of a society grappling with moral choices, all while layer upon layer of humor and dramatic tension builds.