Machinal Episodes

Question 1

What is the title of Episode 1?

Answer 1

To Business

Question 2

How are the characters referred to in the play?

Answer 2

By their titles, such as Young Woman, Telephone Girl, Filing Clerk

Question 3

What does the central character, Young Woman, feel about her life?

Answer 3

Estranged and trapped by the mechanical lifestyle

Question 4

Who proposes marriage to the Young Woman?

Answer 4

Mr. Jones

Question 5

What is the focus of Episode 2?

Answer 5

The relationship between Young Woman and her Mother

Question 6

How does the Mother respond to questions about life and love?

Answer 6

Dismissively, stating it does not pay the bills

Question 7

What does Young Woman fear about her future?

Answer 7

Becoming like her Mother

Question 8

What is the emotional state of Young Woman during her wedding night?

Answer 8

Terrified and reduced to tears

Question 9

What does the stage description say about Young Woman’s eyes?

Answer 9

‘Wide with a curious, helpless, animal terror’

Question 10

What significant event occurs in Episode 4?

Answer 10

Young Woman gives birth to a baby girl

Question 11

What is Young Woman’s reaction to having a daughter?

Answer 11

Sorrowful, fearing her daughter will be trapped in society

Question 12

What psychological state is suggested for Young Woman in Episode 4?

Answer 12

Natal depression

Question 13

What does Young Woman refuse to do by the end of Episode 4?

Answer 13

Submit to the life expected of her

Question 14

What is the setting of Episode 5 titled ‘Prohibited’?

Answer 14

A speakeasy

Question 15

What does Young Woman feel in the setting of Episode 5?

Answer 15

Banned from freedom

Question 16

What significant event occurs when Young Woman is in the speakeasy?

Answer 16

She meets the man she will have an affair with

Question 17

What is the main theme of Episode 6?

Answer 17

The theme revolves around the feelings of freedom and the impact of patriarchal structures.

Question 18

What phrase does Young Woman read from the paper in Episode 7?

Answer 18

‘All men are born free and entitled to the pursuit of happiness’

This statement highlights the exclusion of women and the societal norms of the time.

Question 19

In Episode 7, what does Young Woman cry out in terror?

Answer 19

She cries out ‘stones, head stones’.

Question 20

What crime is Young Woman accused of in Episode 8?

Answer 20

Murdering her husband, Mr. Jones.

Question 21

What evidence does the prosecution present in Episode 8?

Answer 21

A letter from her lover and a lily from her apartment.

Question 22

What is Young Woman’s reason for killing her husband?

Answer 22

‘To be free.’

Question 23

What question does the judge ask Young Woman regarding her desire to be free?

Answer 23

‘If you just wanted to be free - why didn’t you divorce him?’

Question 24

What is Young Woman’s response to the judge’s question about divorce?

Answer 24

‘Oh I couldn’t do that!! I couldn’t hurt him like that!’

Question 25

What is the final fate of Young Woman in Episode 9?

Answer 25

She dies by the electric chair.

Question 26

What does Young Woman plead for at the end of Episode 9?

Answer 26

She pleads to speak to her daughter.

Question 27

What is Young Woman’s reaction when they shave her hair in Episode 9?

Answer 27

She weeps and cries out ‘Submit! Submit! Nothing mine?’

Question 28

What existential question does Young Woman ask the Priest?

Answer 28

She asks why the act of sin she committed was the only happiness she ever truly had.