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Sunrise at Campobello | Introduction

Sunrise at Campobello, possibly Dore Schary’s best-known work, was first produced by the author on Broadway at the Cort Theater, on January 30, 1958, and later released by Warner Brothers in movie form (1960). Although the play is currently out of print, it delivers a timeless message in its depiction of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s struggle with paralysis. Schary, in his foreword to the play, states that after reading everything he could find on the subject of FDR, he felt there was yet another ‘‘moving and dramatic tale to be told’’ concerning the years of FDR’s illness. Schary was so moved that he devoted his entire play to the thirty-four months leading up to FDR’s speech in Madison Square Garden, one Schary felt was perhaps the most dramatic in its impact on the American public. Structurally, the work is divided into three acts, all recorded historically by date, and all three acts are equally dramatic in their content. The triumph of Schary’s work is the economy the playwright demonstrates in conveying the emotional breadth and depth of a character of unquestionable fame in a very intimate, frank manner. In his depiction, Schary offers yet another view of Roosevelt’s personal and political development during a very difficult and moving time in his life, before he became president of the United States. The success of the play was unquestionable—it became a Broadway hit earning five Tony Awards.

Sunrise at Campobello Summary

Act I
The play opens at the sprawling summer home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), located in the deep woods of Campobello, New Brunswick, Canada. It is August 10, 1921, before FDR was elected president of the United States. As dusk approaches, members of the Roosevelt family return from a day of outdoor activity. Eleanor discusses the day’s events with her husband and children and arranges for dinner.

Anna addresses her mother Eleanor, confiding in her that she cannot fathom her mother’s tolerance of her brothers. ‘‘I think you feel surrounded by the men in the family,’’ Eleanor ultimately offers her daughter. Anna also shares with her mother her grandmother’s opinions of Eleanor’s severe demeanor with Anna, and she claims to support her grandmother’s comments directed at Mr. Howe.

When Jimmy overhears his sister, he asks his father if he can expect Howe will be paying a visit. It seems Howe has asthma and, as a result, can be overheard by Jimmy from the next room, coughing and wheezing. ‘‘I want no criticism of or complaints about Mr. Louie Howe from you or anyone else,’’ says FDR gruffly of son Jimmy’s comments.

In a private conversation with his wife, FDR shares his concerns about the Harding presidency and its negative impact on the economy. As the conversation continues, a supportive Eleanor af- firms Louie’s belief in FDR’s great potential as a Democratic presidential candidate. Believing the light is dim on his political horizon and hesitant to give up a Wall Street salary, FDR tells his wife:

Babs, I’ve weathered battles with Tammany Hall, seven years in the Navy Department, and Mama’s massive objections to politics—which she rates one step higher than garbage collecting. I’m quite sure that Wall Street will not corrupt my political convictions.

Moments later, after a playful arm-wrestle between himself and son Jimmy, FDR saunters over to the bay window to admire the sunset. He is seized with a sudden pain in his back, evident as he stumbles, and he grabs his back and grimaces. He attributes the incident to lumbago, or inflammation in his back muscles, and makes his way up to bed to rest.

Scene ii leaps forward to September 1, 1921, as the action continues at FDR’s summer home. Howe is with Eleanor, discussing FDR’s medical condition. Mrs. Roosevelt, or Sara, joins the discussion, despite the mutual dislike shared by Howe and Sara. Eleanor says that, after several visits to local physicians, a doctor flew in from Boston and diagnosed FDR’s condition as infantile paralysis and explains that ‘‘at first Franklin lost control even of his hands. He couldn’t write—or hold a spoon. Now his arms and hands are almost all well. We still don’t know about his legs—or his back.’’

In a particularly tense moment, Howe happens upon Sara telling Eleanor that despite both FDR and Howe’s regard for each other, ‘‘I’ve never quite understood it. It’s possible Mr. Howe merely enjoys riding along on Franklin’s coattails.’’ Howe manages to suppress his anger, but tempers soon flair in a private discussion between himself and Sara. When Howe shares with Sara the decision to move FDR to a hospital in New York, Sara asserts, ‘‘the best place for [FDR] is Hyde Park,’’ where he can rest and enjoy life running the family estate. She also insists that her son be discouraged from remaining active in politics. Howe has different ideas and counters, ‘‘Mrs. Roosevelt, Hyde Park or Timbuktu, Franklin’s political future is ordained.’’ As tempers flair, neither waivers in his or her convictions, and they part company.

Scene iii, the morning of FDR’s departure for New York on September 13, 1921, is a tense one for the ailing man. This will be his first appearance in public since the onset of his paralysis. Missy, his secretary, is discussing the travel and other arrangements with Howe. Responding to her somber mood, Howe asks her why she is so down. ‘‘Louie—I’ve been here for two weeks taking dictation and trying to act as he does—as if nothing is the matter.’’ She adds, ‘‘Sometimes it seems a sad and foolish game.’’

Sara also questions her daughter-in-law as to whether the children are emotionally equipped to see their father... » Complete Sunrise at Campobello Summary