He and She April 7, 2010

Written in 1911, this pre-Nineteenth Amendment inquiry into gender roles, family priorities, and career goals feels fresh when viewed from our culture steeped in wanting to have it all. Ann and Tom are married artists who enter the same distinguished sculpture competition. Tom is at first supportive of Ann's work but quickly feels threatened once she wins. Should Ann give up her art to keep the peace at home? And what of their daughter, who's fallen in love with a chauffeur at her boarding school and shows no interest in continuing her studies? Who should help her make the right choices-and what are they? Differing focuses and conflicting responses subtly display the nuances in the struggles we continue to face when choosing between heart-felt desires.