The Happy Journey by Thornton Wilder: Summary | Major English Class 12
The Happy Journey by Thornton Wilder
MAIN SUMMARY
The Happy Journey by Thornton Wilder
'The Happy Journey' is a family play about Kirby's family that was written by American playwright Thornton Wilder. This family drama deals with the activities, behaviours, and attitudes of an American family. Ma Kirby is the central character of this play. She feels quite proud to have a complete and prosperous family. She wants to make her family moral and ideal. She doesn't have greed or lust for money, so she doesn't want her son to work hard. She seems like a classical but strong housewife. She never hesitates to talk to anyone. In this play, Ma Kirby wants to lead the family to a good position through her ideal manners.
This one-act play deals with a journey made by Kirby's family to Camden. There are five members in Kirby's family. The central character is Kate Kirby (Ma Kirby). Her husband is Elmer Kirby (Pa Kirby). Their kids are Arthur (the youngest son), Caroline (the daughter), and Beulah (the married daughter), who live in Camden with her husband Horace. Kirby's family lives in Newark, New Jersey. According to Ma Kirby, New Jersey is the best place in the world because it is the place where her family lives. Ma Kirby is a housewife. She is a moral woman. She wants to make her kids disciplined and moral. She is so careful about her kids' activities because she loves them so much. Her husband, Pa Kirby, works in the laundry. Her son Arthur is about thirteen years old, whereas Caroline is fifteen years old. Her elder daughter is twenty-two years old. The Kirby family wants to meet the elder daughter, Beulah, in Camden. Beulah has recently become ill because she suffered a lot during her childbirth. She lost her baby, but she hardly survived. To give her mental support as well as care, Kirby's family moves towards Camden for three days. Before leaving for Camden, they make fine arrangements. In the opening of the play, we can see the arrangements for this job. This family has a very good relationship with their neighbours. Ma Kirby requests that one of her neighbours, Schwartz, feed her cat a saucer of milk every morning and every evening. She also explains the reason for going to Camden to her neighbour. She also informs her neighbour Hobmeyer about Beulah's pitiful condition. Hobmeyer also shows her sympathy for Beulah. Ma Kirby leaves the key behind the icebox for neighbours. Neighbours also take care of Kirby's family. They live in harmony, sharing joys and sorrows.
The youngest kid, Arthur, is playing marbles. When he sees his mother, he asks about his hat. Ma Kirby tells him to find his hat himself. She also says that if he doesn't find his hat, she won't take him to Camden. Her daughter Caroline reddens her cheek by rubbing. Ma Kirby doesn't like this act by Caroline. She asks Caroline about this act, but Caroline says it is fashion. She says that schoolgirls always redden their cheeks by rubbing them before setting out for new places. Ma Kirby wants to maintain good manners and discipline in the family.
She doesn't like the new style and fashion. Later on, the Kirby family bid farewell to their neighbour. They begin their happy journey in a comfortable car.
SERIES OF EVENTS IN THE PLAY
The Happy Journey by Thornton Wilder
Pa Kirby drives the car. According to Ma Kirby, Pa Kirby is the best driver in the world.
Arthur: Pa! Don't drive by the school.
Ma Kirby: Why are you worrying? Your mother has the right to take you out of school for one day of leave.
Pa Kirby: Breath the fresh air, my kids.
He is also fond of Ma Kirby's cooking skills.
Arthur sees a huge billboard advertisement for a fine suit. Ma Kirby promises him to buy a pair of such fine suits if Arthur completes high school with a good percentage.
They stop the car by the side when they see the funeral procession. They let them go ahead. Elmer and Arthur put off their hats. They become serious and sympathetic.
Ma Kirby: Everyone must meet the same fate one day and hold up the traffic for some time. Everybody makes a funeral procession after his or her death.
While moving ahead, Caroline reads an advertisement and asks her father about the word 'rite' after reading the 'fit-rite suspenders, working for man's choice' advertisement board. Caroline asks her father why rite is written instead of right on the board. Father jokingly replies that it will make her stop, think, and remember.
Next, an advertisement for spaghetti is read by Arthur, who desires to have it. Ma Kirby promises that she will prepare them spaghetti when they go home. Ma Kirby also notices the girl from Chesterfield cigarettes looks like Beulah.
Arthur desires to work as a paperboy and supports his family economically. Ma Kirby doesn't want her son to earn money for his family. She thinks her kids' health is the most important thing. She doesn't want to wake them up at 4:00 every morning to earn money. For her, the health of her son is more valuable than millions of dollars. She says that she won't ruin the God-given sleep of Arthur. Arthur comments on God in the meantime. Ma Kirby becomes furious with Arthur. She scolds Arthur so severely, using bitter words. She stops the car and wants to send Arthur back, giving him one dollar.
They stop their car at the garage because the radiator of the car becomes so hot. They want to fill up the radiator. The mechanic checks the tyres too. Ma Kirby talks with the mechanic so frankly. She talks with him about private life. The mechanic wishes them a happy journey.
They stop the car to eat a hot dog. Arthur buys some hot dogs. Before eating a hot dog, Arthur realises his mistake and regrets it in front of his mother for his misdeeds. Along with him, Caroline also weeps for making the mistake of rubbing her cheek. Both of them beg her mother for excuses.
They move ahead and reach Lawrence Ville. They cross the Delaware. Ma Kirby says that George Washington crossed this river, leading his force to defeat the British force. Later on, they see the sign of Camden, about five miles away.
Ma Kirby reads the address from Beulah's letter. In the evening, Caroline sees a single star in the sky. She sings an old song related to the star. She requests that her mother wish for something.
Finally, they reach their destination, where Beulah is waiting for them. When they are inside, Beulah waves her hand at them. She embraces and kisses her parents. Ma Kirby makes her daughter rest, and she moves to the kitchen to work.
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