Literary Devices In The Little Foxes ✍️

By Lillian Hellman

Contents

Introduction —

📚 The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman is a classic play first performed in 1939. Set in the American South during the early 20th century, this gripping drama explores themes of greed, family betrayal, and the corrupting power of wealth. Lillian Hellman, known for her sharp wit and political activism, delves deep into the darker aspects of human nature and societal norms. The title of the play comes from the Bible, specifically the Song of Solomon: “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.” This metaphor aptly sets the tone for a story about how small acts of greed and malice can lead to the ruin of a family.

Plot Summary —

Exposition — The play opens in the home of the wealthy Hubbard family in a small Southern town. The three Hubbard siblings—Regina, Ben, and Oscar—are plotting to invest in a lucrative cotton mill deal. Regina’s husband, Horace, who is seriously ill, is needed to secure the financing.

Rising Action — As the siblings scheme to get Horace’s approval, tensions rise. Regina, desperate for wealth and independence, manipulates everyone around her. Oscar’s wife, Birdie, and their son, Leo, also become entangled in the plot. Leo, on orders from his father, steals bonds from Horace’s safety deposit box.

Climax — Horace discovers the theft and decides to leave the family nothing, except what legally belongs to Regina. In a heated confrontation, Horace’s heart gives out, and he dies without granting his approval for the deal. Regina, seeing an opportunity, lets him die without calling for help.

Falling Action — After Horace’s death, Regina blackmails her brothers into giving her a larger share of the deal by threatening to expose their theft. She plans to leave for Chicago with her daughter, Alexandra, who is horrified by her mother’s actions.

Resolution — Alexandra, disillusioned and disgusted by the family’s greed and treachery, decides to leave Regina and strike out on her own. The play ends with Regina realizing that despite her newfound wealth, she is alone and unloved.

Character Analysis —

Regina Giddens — A central figure, Regina is ambitious, manipulative, and determined to gain wealth and independence at any cost. Her charm hides a ruthless nature, willing to sacrifice her family’s well-being for personal gain.

Horace Giddens — Regina’s husband, Horace is ill but morally strong. He stands as a counterpoint to Regina’s greed, attempting to thwart her plans even at the cost of his health.

Ben Hubbard — The eldest Hubbard sibling, Ben is cunning and pragmatic. He is a mastermind behind the family’s business schemes and represents cold, calculated ambition.

Oscar Hubbard — The middle sibling, Oscar is cruel and abusive, especially towards his wife, Birdie. He is eager to participate in the cotton mill deal, driven by his desire for wealth and power.

Birdie Hubbard — Oscar’s wife, Birdie is gentle and kind but deeply unhappy. She represents the human cost of the Hubbards’ greed and ambition.

Alexandra Giddens — Regina and Horace’s daughter, Alexandra, is initially naive but grows to see the moral corruption around her. She represents hope and the possibility of moral integrity.

Leo Hubbard — Oscar’s son, Leo, is a weak, morally corrupt character who follows his father’s lead. He steals from Horace, furthering the family’s dishonorable ambitions.

Character	Personality	Motivations	Development
Regina Giddens	Ambitious, manipulative, charming	Wealth, independence	Grows more ruthless, alienating her daughter
Horace Giddens	Morally strong, ill	Protecting his daughter, thwarting Regina	Remains steadfast in his morals, dies defiant
Ben Hubbard	Cunning, pragmatic	Wealth, power	Consistently ruthless, unchanging
Oscar Hubbard	Cruel, abusive	Wealth, dominance over Birdie	Shows consistent cruelty, no growth
Birdie Hubbard	Gentle, unhappy	Seeking happiness and escape from abuse	Remains oppressed but reveals inner strength
Alexandra Giddens	Naive, moral	Seeking truth, moral integrity	Grows to reject family’s corruption
Leo Hubbard	Weak, corrupt	Seeking approval, wealth	Remains morally weak, no significant development

Themes and Symbols —

Greed and Corruption — The play highlights the destructive power of greed and the moral decay it brings. The Hubbard family’s relentless pursuit of wealth leads to betrayal, abuse, and moral bankruptcy.

Family Betrayal — The theme of betrayal runs throughout the play as family members deceive and manipulate each other for personal gain. This betrayal underscores the toxic nature of their relationships.

The South and Social Change — Set against the backdrop of a changing South, the play comments on the shifting social and economic landscape. The Hubbards represent the emerging capitalist class, replacing the old Southern aristocracy.

Symbols:

The Little Foxes — The title itself is symbolic, referring to the “little foxes” that spoil the vines, representing the small acts of greed and malice that destroy the family.
Birdie’s Pianoforte — Represents Birdie’s lost dreams and the cultural decay of the South.
Horace’s Heart Condition — Symbolizes the moral weakness and the physical decline of those who oppose the Hubbards’ ruthless ambition.

Style and Tone —

Realistic Dialogue — Hellman’s dialogue is natural and reflects the Southern vernacular, grounding the play in its regional setting.
Dark and Cynical Tone — The play’s tone is often dark and cynical, reflecting the moral corruption of the characters.
Tension and Suspense — Hellman builds tension and suspense through sharp, confrontational dialogue and strategic revelations.
Character-Driven Narrative — The plot is driven by the complex interactions and evolving relationships between characters.

Literary Devices used in The Little Foxes —

**1. *Foreshadowing* — Early hints of Horace’s death create a sense of impending doom.

**2. *Symbolism* — Objects and actions carry deeper meanings, such as Birdie’s pianoforte and Horace’s heart condition.

**3. *Irony* — The Hubbards’ pursuit of wealth ultimately leads to personal loss and isolation.

**4. *Metaphor* — The title and various dialogues use metaphors to convey deeper themes of corruption and decay.

**5. *Allusion* — References to historical and biblical texts enrich the thematic depth.

**6. *Dialogue* — Used effectively to reveal character intentions and advance the plot.

**7. *Setting* — The Southern setting is crucial to the story, highlighting social and economic tensions.

**8. *Conflict* — Both internal and external conflicts drive the narrative and character development.

**9. *Imagery* — Vivid descriptions create a strong sense of place and emotion.

**10. *Characterization* — Hellman uses detailed character portrayals to explore themes of greed and betrayal.

Literary Devices Examples

Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
Early discussions about Horace’s health	Hints at his eventual death, creating tension
Regina’s ruthless behavior	Foreshadows her willingness to let Horace die
Birdie’s complaints about her marriage	Foreshadows her eventual breakdown and the family’s moral decay

Symbolism

Example	Explanation
The Little Foxes	Represents small acts of greed that ruin the family
Birdie’s pianoforte	Symbolizes Birdie’s lost dreams and cultural decay
Horace’s heart condition	Symbolizes moral weakness and physical decline

Irony

Example	Explanation
The Hubbards’ pursuit of wealth	Leads to personal loss and isolation, opposite of their intentions
Regina’s manipulation	Results in losing her daughter’s love and respect
Birdie’s marriage	Supposed to bring happiness but results in misery

Metaphor

Example	Explanation
“Little foxes”	Represents destructive small acts
“A garden left untended”	Describes the family’s moral and relational decay
Horace’s heart problems	Reflects the strain and corruption within the family

Allusion

Example	Explanation
Title reference to the Bible	Connects themes of moral decay and ruin
Historical references to the South	Enhances the setting and social commentary
Cultural references in dialogue	Adds depth to characters and their backgrounds

Dialogue

Example	Explanation
Confrontations between Regina and Horace	Reveal their strained relationship and

Setting

Example	Explanation
Southern town setting	Highlights economic and social tensions of the era
Hubbard household	Reflects the opulence and moral decay of the family
References to changing South	Show the transition from old aristocracy to new capitalism

Conflict

Example	Explanation
Regina vs. Horace	Represents moral vs. immoral, greed vs. integrity
Regina vs. her brothers	Highlights family betrayal and power struggle
Alexandra vs. Regina	Shows the generational clash and moral awakening

Imagery

Example	Explanation
Descriptions of the household	Create a vivid picture of opulence and hidden decay
Birdie’s emotional outbursts	Paint a picture of her inner turmoil
The tense atmosphere during confrontations	Enhances the emotional impact of the scenes

Characterization

Example	Explanation
Detailed portrayal of Regina	Explores her complex motivations and ruthless ambition
Birdie’s background and current state	Highlights the personal cost of the Hubbards’ greed
Horace’s moral stance	Serves as a counterpoint to the family’s corruption

FAQs

The Little Foxes – FAQs

Q: What is the significance of the title “The Little Foxes”?
A: The title refers to a biblical allusion from the Song of Solomon, symbolizing the small, destructive acts of greed and malice that ruin the family.

Q: How does Regina manipulate her family?
A: Regina manipulates her family through charm, deceit, and ruthless actions, including letting her husband die to gain control over his wealth.

Q: What are the main themes in “The Little Foxes”?
A: The main themes include greed and corruption, family betrayal, and the social and economic changes in the South.

Q: Why does Alexandra decide to leave her mother?
A: Alexandra leaves her mother after realizing the extent of Regina’s moral corruption and the destructive nature of her ambitions.

Q: How does Lillian Hellman use irony in the play?
A: Hellman uses irony to show how the Hubbards’ pursuit of wealth leads to personal loss and isolation, contrary to their expectations.

Quiz

Quiz —

Question	A	B	C	D
1. Who is the main antagonist in “The Little Foxes”?	Regina Giddens	Horace Giddens	Ben Hubbard	Birdie Hubbard
2. What is Horace’s main health issue?	Heart disease	Lung disease	Kidney disease	Diabetes
3. Where is “The Little Foxes” set?	Northern city	Southern town	Western ranch	Midwestern village
4. What does Birdie’s pianoforte symbolize?	Wealth	Lost dreams	Power	Happiness
5. How does Regina plan to secure her wealth?	By investing wisely	By blackmailing her brothers	By marrying a rich man	By working hard
6. Why does Leo steal Horace’s bonds?	To pay off debts	On orders from Oscar	To escape town	For personal gain
7. What does Alexandra represent in the play?	Greed	Corruption	Hope and moral integrity	Wealth
8. What ultimately happens to Horace?	He recovers	He leaves Regina	He dies	He gets imprisoned
9. What is the primary motivation of the Hubbard siblings?	Love	Wealth	Revenge	Charity
10. Who decides to leave the Hubbard household at the end of the play?	Birdie	Regina	Leo	Alexandra

Exercise —

Spot the Literary Devices:

Paragraph: “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. The household was a grand sight, opulent yet decaying from within, much like the Hubbard family itself. Regina stood in the center, a beacon of ambition, her eyes cold and calculating as she surveyed her empire, built on betrayal and deceit.”

Answers —

Foreshadowing: “The household was a grand sight, opulent yet decaying from within, much like the Hubbard family itself.”

Symbolism: “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”

Metaphor: “Regina stood in the center, a beacon of ambition, her eyes cold and calculating.”