The Scarecrow; or The Glass of Truth: A Tragedy of the Ludicrous

"The Scarecrow; or The Glass of Truth: A Tragedy of the Ludicrous" by Percy MacKaye is a play written in the early 20th century. This work draws on themes of identity, perception, and the absurdity of human nature, presenting a unique blend of humor and tragedy. It features characters such as Goody Rickby, a blacksmith, and the titular scarecrow, who will come to embody deeper social commentaries throughout the narrative. The opening of the play sets the scene in a blacksmith’s workshop where Goody Rickby is working on a new scarecrow to protect her cornfield from crows. She partners with a whimsical character named Dickon, who plays a kind of devilish figure helping her create a lifelike scarecrow. As they construct the scarecrow, a myriad of philosophical musings and playful banter ensue, touching upon themes of superficiality and human folly. Their conversation hints at deeper moral questions, particularly concerning vanity and the nature of identity, foreshadowing the transformative journey that the scarecrow will undertake as the story unfolds.