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Cover of Square Pegs: A Rhymed Fantasy For Two Girls

Square Pegs: A Rhymed Fantasy For Two Girls

Written by Clifford Bax

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Young womenEnglish dramaFantasy dramaOne-act plays

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About this book

"Square Pegs: A Rhymed Fantasy For Two Girls" by Clifford Bax is a theatrical play written in the early 20th century. This whimsical work, presented in rhymed verse, captures a dialogue between two characters—Hilda, a modern girl from the Twentieth Century, and Gioconda, a Venetian girl from the Fifteenth Century. The play explores themes of time travel and the comparison of romantic notions across different eras. The story unfolds in an enchanted garden where Hilda and Gioconda meet, each yearning to escape their own time for the adventures of the other. As they share their woes regarding love, their conversations reveal the stark contrast between modern and historical romantic expressions. Hilda is disenchanted with her suitor's mundane and slangy proposal, while Gioconda finds herself frustrated by the limitations of her own age’s social conventions. Their bond deepens as they role-play their respective lovers, leading to a humorous and poignant realization that love's essence transcends time, ultimately concluding with both girls deciding to embrace their own lives with renewed appreciation.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Square Pegs: A Rhymed Fantasy For Two Girls, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • whimsical
  • romantic
  • humorous

Clifford Bax's "Square Pegs: A Rhymed Fantasy For Two Girls" is an early 20th-century theatrical play that ingeniously uses time travel to explore the timeless nature of love and societal expectations. Set in an enchanted garden, the play brings together Hilda, a modern girl from the 20th century, and Gioconda, a Venetian girl from the 15th century, both disillusioned with their respective eras' romantic conventions. Through whimsical rhymed verse and poignant dialogue, they share their frustrations and role-play each other's romantic predicaments. This humorous and reflective encounter ultimately leads them to a shared realization: while expressions of love may change across centuries, its fundamental essence remains constant, prompting both girls to return to their own times with renewed appreciation and perspective.

“Oh, for a love that's carved in stone, not whispered in a hurried tone!”

Key themes

Love and Romance Across Time
The central theme explores how the expression and experience of love evolve (or remain constant) across different historical periods. The play contrasts Hilda's modern disenchantment with Gioconda's historical constraints, ultimately suggesting that while external forms change, the underlying human desire for connection and understanding remains timeless.
Societal Expectations vs. Individual Desire
Both Hilda and Gioconda are depicted as individuals whose personal desires for love and fulfillment clash with the prevailing societal expectations of their respective eras. This theme highlights the universal struggle to reconcile personal longing with external pressures and conventions, particularly for women.
Appreciation of One's Own Reality
The ultimate resolution of the play centers on the girls' realization that true contentment comes not from escaping one's reality, but from gaining perspective and appreciating the unique aspects of one's own life and time. They learn that every era has its challenges and its charms.

Worth discussing

How does the play use the concept of time travel to explore universal human desires and frustrations?

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