The Boy Comes Home.

THE BOY COMES HOME
                                                 
                                                                                 by  A.A.Miline

                                          Introduction of Author:

The one act play “The Boy Comes Home” is written by Alan Alexander Milne (1882-1956)mostly known as A.A.Milne.

He has won distinction in various fields of literature. He is also well known for his short stories ,essays as well as for Novels. Especially his book for children are delightful and makes him popular among boys and girls.

His works is literature:

His better known novel is:

 “Red House Mystery”

His full length plays are:

“Mr. Pim passes By”

“The Truth About Blayds”

“The Dover road”

At last he also published his autobiography in 1935.

Summary of the play:

The Boy Comes Home is alight comedy. It throws light on generation gap.

The story is about uncle James with authorative attitude and his 23 years nephew Philip, who returns home after 4 years as active service in Army. On the very first morning he comes for breakfast at ten. Uncle James keeps a strict discipline in the house. According to his breakfast is to serve at 8.because of this Philip has a row with Mrs.Higgin  (a cook).She threatens to leave job if she asked to prepare breakfast at 10.

However Philip handles her very cleverly that shows that Philip is no more school boy. 

The war greatly affected Philip’s personality.Then Uncle James comes to see Philip , He wants to ask him to join Jam business. Aunt Emily asks him to let Philip decide his career but he says that:

“I don’t see how he proposes to do it so long as I hold the purse string”

                   He calls Philip but just before it he goes to sleep. In his dream he meets to Philip .He address him to join the jam business but Philip wants to learn some other profession (architect).

                  Uncle James refuse to give money. because he thinks that Philip is just like a school boy and can not choose a career for himself. To prove his maturity Philip relates his experience at someone. However Uncle James still sticks on his own decision. He threatens to use the power of purse. At this Philip takes out revolver and bomb out of his pocket and frightens uncle James to death.

               Now uncle James wake up. It was just a dream and now he is a changed man. When Philip actually comes to talk to him. He rather confused and repeats the same things what Philip has said in his dream. However Philip agrees to join the business.

So, 

“all good at the end”

Theme of the play :

            The play “Boy comes Home” is based on the theme of the generation gap.

The old generation thinks that young generation is immature, just like a kid. It should obey the old generation. In fact , the young generation is mature enough to take their decisions right. There is continuous conflict between uncle James and Philip. Uncle James is the representative of old generation to show authority and tradition. And Philip is the symbol of youth. So, this generation gap can obviously create conflict somehow in direct or indirect way.

      

           It is a light comedy and its job is to provide delight to audience but it also giving moral massage that those who tries to threatens other are themselves is defeated by some other force and old generation should not impose their desires on youngers , they should make them independent to take their desires  on their own. Here dream sequence played a very vital role.