Play: Isn't It Romantic

Intro
"Isn't It Romantic" is a 1981 play composed by American playwright Wendy Wasserstein, which checks out the lives and relationships of two girls in New york city City. The play is an amusing and wholehearted examination of the struggles and pressures girls face as they browse their careers, relationships, and romantic relationships, set against the backdrop of a quickly changing society.

Plot Summary
The play mainly focuses on the lives of two friends, Janie Blumberg and Harriet Cornwall, who are both in their late twenties and residing in Manhattan. Janie is Jewish, while Harriet hails from a WASP background. The contrasts in between their backgrounds serve as a structure to explore the differences in their perspectives, values, and life goals.

Janie and Harriet are graduates of prominent colleges and have accomplished a specific level of expert success. Harriet works as a marketing executive, while Janie is a self-employed author. They both grapple with the expectations placed on young women throughout the late 20th century, consisting of the pressure to discover a spouse, start a household, and preserve a successful career.

As the story unfolds, the girls experience different romantic potential customers. Janie succumbs to Marty Sterling, a delicate writer who is intellectually interesting but career-wise directionless. Marty eventually leaves Janie for another female, causing her psychological chaos.

Harriet, on the other hand, meets Paul Stuart, a Wall Street expert and a charmer. Regardless of her preliminary attraction to him, she discovers that he is just another male who views her as a trophy other half. Harriet chooses to focus more on her profession as she recognizes that her self-worth is not just based upon her romantic relationships.

Themes
"Isn't It Romantic" looks into a number of themes concerning women's social roles and their struggles for self-fulfillment. One of the primary themes is the complicated relationships between career, marital relationship, and motherhood. Both Janie and Harriet are at a point in their lives where they are pressured to get wed, settle, and start a family, even while pursuing their professions.

This problem is additional stressed by the existence of the characters' mothers, who have various viewpoints regarding motherhood and career. Janie's mom, Tasha, provides consistent recommendations to Janie, expressing her issue for her child's expert ambition and potential image as a spinster. On the other hand, Harriet's mother, Lillian, is an example of a female who has successfully handled her own company while maintaining a household.

Another theme in the play is the look for self-identity. Both Janie and Harriet undergo personal journeys to figure out who they are and what is very important to them. The play touches on the procedure of defining one's values and beliefs, along with the impact of societal expectations in shaping females's identities.

The play likewise explores the principle of relationship and how it offers assistance and solace throughout tough times. The friendship between Janie and Harriet functions as their source of strength and solidarity as they navigate the challenges life brings them.

Conclusion
"Isn't It Romantic" is an amusing yet informative representation of the lives of 2 girls as they check out love, relationships, expert goals, and personal identity in a rapidly altering society. Wasserstein's wit and sensitivity provide voice to the struggles and pressures that lots of girls faced in the late 20th century, making it constantly pertinent to audiences considering that its release in 1981. The play invites audiences to question societal expectations and supply support for those looking for genuine individual fulfillment on their terms.
Isn't It Romantic

A semi-autobiographical play about two ambitious and independent women in their late 20s, Janie and Harriet, grappling with the complications of love and career as they try to find happiness.


Author: Wendy Wasserstein

Wendy Wasserstein, the extraordinary American playwright and humorist. Discover her impact on modern theatre and her insightful quotes.
More about Wendy Wasserstein