By Moss Hart
You Can’t Take It With You is a delightful comedy by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman that premiered on Broadway in 1936. 🌟 Set in the bustling city of New York, this play is a beloved classic that captures the essence of family dynamics and the pursuit of happiness. Moss Hart, known for his sharp wit and brilliant storytelling, collaborated with George S. Kaufman to create a play that remains relevant and entertaining to this day. The play belongs to the genre of comedy and farce, celebrated for its humorous take on the clash between unconventional and conventional lifestyles.
Plot Summary
You Can’t Take It With You unfolds in the lively household of the Sycamore family, who live in a charmingly chaotic home filled with eccentric characters.
Exposition
The play introduces us to the Sycamore family, headed by Martin Vanderhof, a retired business man who prefers a life of leisure and unconventional hobbies. The family members include his daughter Penelope, her husband Paul, and their two children, Alice and Essie. Alice is the only member striving for a more conventional life, working for a wealthy company to help support the family.
Rising Action
Alice’s romance with Tony Kirby, the son of her employer, becomes central to the plot. Tony’s parents, the Kirbys, are wealthy and traditional, and their clash with the Sycamore family’s bohemian lifestyle becomes the crux of the conflict. The rising tension is compounded by various humorous misunderstandings and mishaps, especially when the Kirby family visits the Sycamores’ home.
Climax
The climax occurs during a disastrous dinner party hosted by the Sycamores in honor of the Kirbys. The evening is filled with a series of comical events, including a mix-up involving fireworks and eccentric behavior from the Sycamore family members. The chaos reaches its peak when a raid by the IRS threatens to expose the Sycamores’ unconventional lifestyle and finances.
Falling Action
Following the chaotic dinner party, Tony defends his love for Alice and confronts his parents about their rigid attitudes. The family dynamics begin to shift as the Kirbys start to appreciate the Sycamores’ values, leading to a reconciliation of sorts.
Resolution
In the end, the Sycamore family remains true to their unconventional ways, and Tony’s parents come to accept the Sycamores’ lifestyle. Alice and Tony’s relationship flourishes, and the play concludes with a reaffirmation of the importance of living life on one’s own terms.
Character Analysis
Martin Vanderhof
- Personality: Martin is the patriarch of the Sycamore family, known for his easygoing nature and disdain for conventional societal norms.
- Motivations: He seeks personal happiness and freedom from societal pressures, living a life filled with hobbies and joy.
- Development: Martin remains steadfast in his beliefs throughout the play, serving as the moral center that contrasts with the more conventional Kirby family.
Alice Sycamore
- Personality: Alice is practical and hardworking, often balancing her family’s eccentricities with her professional life.
- Motivations: She desires to bridge the gap between her unconventional family and her desire for a more conventional life, especially through her relationship with Tony.
- Development: Alice grows more confident in reconciling her love for Tony with her loyalty to her family, ultimately embracing the uniqueness of both.
Tony Kirby
- Personality: Tony is charming and well-mannered, representing the more conventional side of society.
- Motivations: He is driven by his love for Alice and his desire to break free from his parents’ rigid expectations.
- Development: Tony evolves from a passive participant in his parents’ expectations to a proactive advocate for his and Alice’s happiness.
The Kirbys
- Personality: Mr. and Mrs. Kirby are wealthy and traditional, embodying the conventional societal values that clash with the Sycamores.
- Motivations: They seek social status and respectability, often at the expense of personal happiness and authenticity.
- Development: The Kirbys gradually come to understand and appreciate the Sycamores’ values, leading to a softened perspective on life and family.
Character Analysis Summary
| Character | Personality | Motivations | Development |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Vanderhof | Easygoing, nonconformist | Personal happiness, freedom from societal norms | Consistent in his values, moral center of the play |
| Alice Sycamore | Practical, hardworking | Balance family eccentricities with professional life | Embraces both family and love, grows more confident |
| Tony Kirby | Charming, well-mannered | Love for Alice, desire to break from parental expectations | Becomes an advocate for personal happiness |
| The Kirbys | Wealthy, traditional | Social status, respectability | Develops an appreciation for unconventional values |
Themes and Symbols
Major Themes
- The Conflict Between Conformity and Non-Conformity: The central theme of the play is the clash between the Sycamores’ unconventional lifestyle and the Kirbys’ adherence to traditional values. This conflict highlights the tension between societal expectations and personal happiness.
- The Value of Personal Happiness: The play underscores the importance of pursuing what makes one truly happy rather than conforming to societal norms. Martin Vanderhof’s contentment with his unconventional life serves as a model for finding joy in authenticity.
- Family and Love: The play explores how family dynamics and romantic relationships can be affected by differing values and expectations. The evolving relationship between Alice and Tony illustrates the impact of family acceptance on personal relationships.
Major Symbols
- The Sycamore Home: The Sycamore family’s home symbolizes their eccentric and joyful approach to life. It represents their rejection of societal norms and their embrace of personal fulfillment.
- The Fireworks: The fireworks, which cause chaos during the dinner party, symbolize the unpredictability and excitement of living an unconventional life. They also reflect the explosive clash between the Sycamores and the Kirbys.
- Martin Vanderhof’s Hobby Collection: Martin’s collection of various hobbies symbolizes the joy and fulfillment that come from pursuing one’s passions, irrespective of societal expectations.
Style and Tone
Style
- Playful and Satirical: Moss Hart’s writing style in You Can’t Take It With You is characterized by playful humor and satire. The dialogue is witty and sharp, often exaggerating the characters’ traits for comedic effect.
- Character-Driven: The style focuses heavily on character interactions and the comedic potential of their contrasting personalities and lifestyles.
Tone
- Lighthearted and Optimistic: The tone of the play is generally lighthearted, celebrating the joy of living authentically and the value of family connections. It maintains an optimistic outlook, even when addressing conflicts and misunderstandings.
- Humorous and Farcical: The tone often veers into farce, using exaggerated situations and comedic elements to highlight the absurdities of societal expectations.
Literary Devices used in You Can’t Take it With You
1. Satire
- Usage: The play satirizes societal norms and the pursuit of material success. The eccentric behavior of the Sycamore family contrasts sharply with the Kirby family’s conventional values, providing a humorous critique of societal expectations.
2. Farce
- Usage: The play employs farce through exaggerated characters and improbable situations, such as the chaotic dinner party. This creates comedic tension and highlights the absurdity of the characters’ interactions.
3. Irony
- Usage: There is situational irony in the clash between the Sycamores’ unconventional lifestyle and the Kirbys’ traditional values. The Kirbys’ initial disdain for the Sycamores contrasts with their eventual acceptance and appreciation.
4. Symbolism
- Usage: Symbols like the Sycamore home and Martin’s hobby collection represent the themes of authenticity and personal fulfillment. These symbols enhance the play’s exploration of unconventional lifestyles.
5. Characterization
- Usage: Rich characterization is used to differentiate the Sycamores from the Kirbys. Through detailed character traits and motivations, Hart and Kaufman create a vivid contrast between the two families.
6. Exaggeration
- Usage: The play exaggerates the traits of its characters and situations for comedic effect. For example, the Sycamore family’s extreme hobbies and eccentric behaviors are presented in an exaggerated manner to emphasize their departure from societal norms.
7. Dialogue
- Usage: The witty and humorous dialogue serves to reveal character traits and advance the plot. It provides insight into the characters’ personalities and the play’s themes.
8. Conflict
- Usage: The central conflict between the Sycamores and the Kirbys drives the plot and highlights the thematic tension between conventional and unconventional lifestyles.
9. Foreshadowing
- Usage: The play uses foreshadowing to hint at the eventual resolution of conflicts, such as the initial tension between Alice and Tony’s families leading to a reconciliatory conclusion.
10. Farcical Situations
- Usage: The play includes farcical situations, such as the IRS raid and the chaotic dinner party, to create humor and emphasize the play’s comedic elements.
Literary Devices Examples
Satire
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The Sycamore family’s unconventional lifestyle. | Satirizes societal norms and materialism. |
| The Kirbys’ obsession with social |
status. | Highlights the absurdity of valuing social status over personal happiness. |
| The comedic portrayal of government bureaucracy. | Critiques the inefficiencies and absurdities of bureaucracy. |
Farce
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The chaotic dinner party with fireworks. | Exaggerates the clash between the Sycamores and the Kirbys for comedic effect. |
| Essie’s dance rehearsals. | Adds a humorous and improbable element to the family’s activities. |
| The IRS raid and its mishaps. | Creates an exaggerated scenario that enhances the play’s humor. |
Irony
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The Kirbys’ eventual appreciation of the Sycamores. | Ironically contrasts their initial disdain with eventual acceptance. |
| Tony’s love for Alice despite familial differences. | Highlights the irony of personal relationships overcoming societal expectations. |
| Martin’s joy in his hobbies despite societal norms. | Contrasts with the conventional pursuit of success and status. |
Symbolism
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The Sycamore home as a symbol of unconventional living. | Represents the family’s rejection of societal norms. |
| Martin’s collection of hobbies. | Symbolizes the joy of pursuing personal passions. |
| Fireworks at the dinner party. | Reflects the excitement and unpredictability of the Sycamores’ lifestyle. |
Characterization
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Martin Vanderhof’s relaxed demeanor. | Highlights his departure from societal expectations. |
| Alice’s struggle between family and career. | Illustrates her role as a bridge between two contrasting worlds. |
| Tony Kirby’s growth in accepting the Sycamores. | Shows his transition from conventional to more open-minded. |
Exaggeration
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The Sycamores’ extreme hobbies. | Used to emphasize their nonconformity and create humor. |
| The IRS raid and resulting chaos. | Exaggerates the consequences of the family’s unconventional lifestyle. |
| Essie’s dance routines. | Highlights the absurdity and humor in the family’s activities. |
Dialogue
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Witty exchanges between Martin and the Kirbys. | Reveals character traits and drives the comedic plot. |
| Alice’s conversations about her dilemma. | Provides insight into her internal conflict and character development. |
| The humorous interactions during the dinner party. | Advances the plot and highlights the play’s themes through dialogue. |
Conflict
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The clash between the Sycamores and the Kirbys. | Central conflict that drives the play’s comedic and thematic elements. |
| Alice’s struggle to balance family and career. | Personal conflict that adds depth to her character and the plot. |
| The IRS raid on the Sycamores. | External conflict that escalates the comedic tension in the play. |
Foreshadowing
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Initial tensions between the Sycamores and Kirbys. | Hints at the eventual resolution of these conflicts. |
| Alice’s concerns about her family and Tony’s relationship. | Foreshadows the eventual reconciliation and acceptance. |
| Early comedic mishaps leading to the dinner party. | Prepares the audience for the chaotic climax of the play. |
Farcical Situations
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The IRS raid and the absurdities involved. | Enhances the play’s humor and underscores the farcical nature of the plot. |
| The fireworks display at the dinner party. | Adds a farcical element that heightens the comedic tension. |
| Essie’s enthusiastic but misguided dance routines. | Provides humorous and exaggerated situations to entertain the audience. |
FAQs
Q: What is the main theme of You Can’t Take It With You?
A: The main theme is the conflict between unconventional and conventional lifestyles, highlighting the value of personal happiness and authenticity over societal expectations.
Q: Who are the main characters in You Can’t Take It With You?
A: The main characters include Martin Vanderhof, Alice Sycamore, Tony Kirby, and the Kirby family. Each plays a crucial role in exploring the play’s themes and conflicts.
Q: How does the play resolve the conflict between the Sycamores and the Kirbys?
A: The conflict is resolved through a series of humorous events that lead to mutual understanding and acceptance. The Kirbys come to appreciate the Sycamores’ values, leading to a reconciliation.
Q: What role does humor play in the play?
A: Humor is central to the play, used to critique societal norms and highlight the absurdity of conflicts. It creates a lighthearted atmosphere while addressing serious themes.
Q: What are some of the significant symbols in the play?
A: Significant symbols include the Sycamore home, representing unconventional living, and Martin’s hobby collection, symbolizing personal fulfillment and joy.
Quiz
| Question | Option A | Option B | Option C | Option D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. What is the central theme of the play? | Family values | Material success | Conventional lifestyles | Pursuit of personal happiness |
| 2. Who is the patriarch of the Sycamore family? | Tony Kirby | Martin Vanderhof | Paul Sycamore | Mr. Kirby |
| 3. What symbolizes the Sycamores’ unconventional lifestyle? | The Kirbys’ home | Martin’s hobby collection | The dinner party | The IRS raid |
| 4. What is a major farcical element in the play? | The dinner party fireworks | Tony’s job interview | Alice’s career decisions | The IRS paperwork |
| 5. How do the Kirbys change by the end of the play? | They leave town | They become more conventional | They appreciate the Sycamores’ values | They reject the Sycamores’ lifestyle |
Exercise
Find and analyze the literary devices in the following excerpt from You Can’t Take It With You:
Excerpt: “The Sycamore home was a riot of color and sound. Fireworks burst in the air, while Martin’s latest invention whirred away in the corner, and Essie’s tap-dancing echoed through the house.”
Identify and explain the literary devices used.
Answers:
- Symbolism: The Sycamore home symbolizes unconventional living.
- Imagery: The description of the home as a “riot of color and sound” creates a vivid picture of the chaotic and joyful atmosphere.
- Onomatopoeia: Words like “whirred” and “echoed” mimic the sounds of Martin’s invention and Essie’s tap-dancing, enhancing the reader’s sensory experience.