An Analysis of the Book, Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley Essay

Beth Henley reveals the theme of how an author can camouflage suffering and tragedy with dramatic humor which she reveals in her play Crimes of the Heart. There are three sisters in which each suffers a certain tragedy in each her own way which is directly related to a certain form of emotional instability. The sisters begin to cope with current problems, old scars that need healing, and the complex bonds of sisterhood, but only then do they begin to find the true meaning of the sacred bond between sisters. The MaGrath sisters are in their own little world until a family crisis brings them together. The play tells of three sisters who are reunited when the youngest sister Babe, is accused of shooting her husband, Zachary. The oldest sister, Lenny MaGrath is unmarried at 30, and has been left at home to take care of poor old Granddad. Meg, the middle sister, is back after a failed singing career, and has failed to find her emotions. Babe, the youngest, is out on bail after shooting her husband in the stomach (Davidson1). Each sister doesnt realize the immaturity of their actions, because they are still playing games as if they were children. They have been brought together by this immediate family crisis, and each sister still has problems that are unresolved. The sisters seem very childlike and out of touch with reality. They are now grown women who do not want to break free from old traditions, as if the world would fall apart. Lenny insists on having a candle to blow out for her birthday. She is constantly seen trying to put a candle in a cookie to celebrate her 30th birthday. Meg doesnt consider the impact of her actions on the other people around her, which is shown when she takes one bite out of each piece of chocolate in a box that belonged to Lenny. There is symbolism in this because this...

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