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Cover of That Awful Letter: A Comedy for Girls

That Awful Letter: A Comedy for Girls

Written by Edna I. MacKenzie

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Young womenComedy playsCousinsSnobs and snobbishness

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About this book

"That Awful Letter: A Comedy for Girls" by Edna I. MacKenzie is a comedic play written in the early 20th century. The story centers around the themes of snobbery and social class, specifically exploring the interactions between a city girl, Margaret, and her rural cousin, Elizabeth, who is depicted as an unsophisticated country girl. The play captures the humor that arises from misunderstandings and character contrasts, making it a lighthearted exploration of societal pretensions and prejudices. The plot unfolds as Margaret is compelled by her father to invite her country cousin Elizabeth to visit her in the city. However, Margaret, concerned about Elizabeth's lack of sophistication potentially harming her social status, concocts a letter laden with snobbery to deter her. Unbeknownst to Margaret, Elizabeth sees through the rudeness of the letter and decides to accept the invitation with a plan to play the part of the awkward cousin. As Elizabeth arrives, the comedic situations escalate due to her unexpected confidence and charm, ultimately revealing that she is not as uncultured as Margaret assumed. The play culminates in moments of self-reflection for Margaret, who learns lessons about humility, friendship, and the value of authenticity over social status.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in That Awful Letter: A Comedy for Girls, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • beginner
  • humorous
  • lighthearted
  • witty

Edna I. MacKenzie's 'That Awful Letter: A Comedy for Girls' is a lighthearted one-act play likely intended for amateur theatricals and school performances in the early 20th century. It centers around a misunderstanding caused by a poorly worded or misinterpreted letter, which throws a group of young girls into a state of comedic chaos. The play typically explores themes of social etiquette, the perils of miscommunication, and the importance of clear expression and honesty among friends. Through its humorous situations and relatable characters, it aims to entertain while subtly imparting lessons on social graces and resolving minor conflicts.

“Specific quotes are unavailable without access to the full text of the play. However, typical dialogue would include exclamations of shock, dramatic whispers, and humorous misinterpretations of the letter's contents, such as: 'Oh, the absolute horror of it!', 'You can't mean she actually wrote *that*!', 'But what could she possibly have meant by 'the dreadful secret'?', 'It's all a dreadful misunderstanding, I assure you!'”

Key themes

Miscommunication and Clarity
This is the central theme, explored through the 'awful letter' itself. The play highlights how easily words, especially written ones, can be misinterpreted without context or clear intent, leading to humorous and sometimes embarrassing social predicaments. It emphasizes the importance of precise language and direct communication to avoid misunderstandings.
Social Etiquette and Reputation
The play subtly explores the pressures young girls face in maintaining a good reputation and adhering to social norms. The 'awful letter' likely threatens a character's standing or causes a breach of etiquette, prompting comedic efforts to save face or restore social harmony. It teaches lessons about appropriate behavior and the consequences of social faux pas.
Friendship and Forgiveness
Underlying the comedic chaos is the theme of friendship. The play demonstrates how misunderstandings can strain even strong bonds, but ultimately, genuine friendship is resilient enough to overcome such hurdles. The resolution typically involves forgiveness and the reaffirmation of loyalty among the girls.

Worth discussing

How does the play use misunderstanding to create humor? Can you recall a time when a misunderstanding led to a funny or awkward situation in your own life?

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