Home > Hay Fever Summary & Study Guide > Hay Fever Group > Question and Answer

Question:

Answers:

1. 
   jamie-wheeler Teacher
   College - Sophomore

   eNotes Editor

   I looked for a definitive quote from Noel Coward, but couldn't find one.  My best guess is that it is just a clever word play.  "Hay Fever" as an allergy typically associated with springtime; springtime of course, is associated with "blooming" of both plants and lovers.  Both literally and psychically then, "hay fever" can make a person act outside his normal comfort level, trying to find relief, to scratch an itch, as it were...

   Here is a brief overview of the play:

   Regarded by many as Noel Coward's funniest play, it concerns the ultra-Bohemian Bliss family. Mother Judith is a retired dramatic actress; father David, a successful but temperamental writer; and their adult son and daughter, who are handsome and ill-mannered. One weekend, each has invited a guest to their country home without the knowledge of the other family members. What ensues is a wild romp as each person is attracted to someone different from the original pairings. Light, luminous, charming and hilarious.
    
   

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/hay-fever

   http://www.montgomeryplayhouse.org/season.html

   Rate answer:

   • Flag as inappropriate

   Posted by jamie-wheeler on Wednesday September 26, 2007 at 8:20 AM