Historical Context
Suburbia
The decade of the 1950s heralded the dawn of suburban life in America. With the cessation of World War II in 1945, legions of soldiers returned to embark on their civilian journeys. They soon found themselves marrying and establishing families. Yearning to nurture their offspring away from the chaos and perils of urbanity, and finally possessing the means to own homes—after enduring the preceding Great Depression that spanned over a decade—these families accepted city jobs but opted to reside in the burgeoning communities encircling urban centers, sparking a surge in suburban housing.
A pivotal moment in this suburban revolution occurred in 1950 when William J. Levitt and his sons initiated a trend by erecting affordable, uniform dwellings in a meticulously planned enclave named Levittown, nestled on Long Island. These homes, though practical yet lacking in creativity, sold at such a rapid pace that new Levittowns emerged outside Philadelphia and in New Jersey. Developers quickly followed Levitt’s blueprint, clearing expansive tracts of farmland on city fringes, and constructing entire neighborhoods of thousands of homes simultaneously. Throughout the 1950s, homes were being built at a staggering rate of 1.4 million per annum, predominantly in the suburban belts.
The uniformity that characterized these mass-produced homes was mirrored in the homogeneity of the suburban populace. Predominantly white and middle-class families, with two parents and a couple of children, populated these areas. Conformity was the order of the day, and those daring to deviate faced exclusion. The racial segregation prevalent in the suburbs was a reflection of broader societal norms during an era of intense integration efforts in cities—particularly in the North, where unwritten customs, rather than legal mandates, maintained the divide between whites and blacks. Furthermore, gender roles were starkly divided; although most homes harbored both men and women, the men would commute to city jobs during the day, leaving the suburbs primarily in the domain of wives and children.
Social Anxiety
Though the 1950s are often fondly recalled as a time of tranquility and prosperity, sandwiched as they were between the war-torn 1940s and the riotous 1960s, this nostalgia glosses over the simmering tensions beneath the surface.
This era was one of remarkable economic expansion in America. As Japan and the majority of European nations grappled with the formidable task of post-war reconstruction, having had their industrial capacities significantly impaired by conflict, the United States emerged relatively unscathed. Instead, the war years had bolstered American industry and wealth, supplying the world with essential munitions and food. By the 1950s, America stood as an industrial and military colossus, challenged only by the Soviet Union.
The "Cold War" rivalry with the Soviet Union cast a shadow of fear over the 1950s political landscape. With suspicions of Soviet espionage infiltrating various sectors—first aiming at the government and then branching into manufacturing and entertainment—accusations of communist affiliation were career-ending. The pervasive dread of being labeled a communist compelled many to strive for invisibility within society.
Yet, the drive to conform wasn't merely spurred by political pressures. Conformity was the zeitgeist of the nation. As early as 1950, David Reisman highlighted this phenomenon in his book The Lonely Crowd, where he described Americans as "other-directed," shaping their identities based on public opinion rather than internal conviction. Other authors of the era, like William Whyte in The Organization Man (1956) and Vance Packard in The Status Seekers (1959), explored the business world's conformity and how middle-class families navigated the pressures to appear prosperous while avoiding drawing attention.
Literary Style
Protagonist and Antagonist
In the realm of storytelling, the protagonist reigns supreme as the central figure, steering the narrative. At times,...
(This entire section contains 431 words.)
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this role transcends the bounds of humanity, encompassing entities like a community or even an object imbued with life-like traits. In the intense tapestry ofThe Desperate Hours, the question of the protagonist's identity invites debate. Dan Hilliard emerges as the prime candidate, burdened with pivotal decisions and deeply enmeshed in the unfolding drama. Conversely, Jesse Bard graces the opening scene, confronting the chaos of a jailbreak, and later concludes with a renewed faith in mankind's innate decency. Despite Bard's compelling arc, the spotlight remains firmly on Hilliard, affirming him as the story's true protagonist.
The identity of the play's antagonist, however, is starkly evident. This role, often characterized by traits contrary to those of the protagonist, serves to probe and illuminate hidden facets of the leading character's persona. Among the trio of criminals, Glenn Griffin stands out as the mastermind, orchestrating the chaos. His complex ties with both Bard, whom he seeks vengeance against, and Hilliard, whom he perceives as a father figure, elevate him above a mere adversary. Without Glenn's intricate motives, the depth of Hilliard's and Bard's characters would remain unexplored.
Denouement
The denouement, derived from the French term for "unraveling," follows the story’s zenith. In this particular narrative, the turning point erupts when Dan Hilliard strikes Glenn Griffin, commanding his exit. Regardless of ensuing events, Dan's assertion of control marks the tale’s resolution, freeing him from the convict's oppressive grasp. The aftermath, wherein Glenn futilely charges into the police's glare with his empty weapon and meets his demise, epitomizes the denouement—the inevitable fallout of the climax.
The play's denouement further unfolds in a dialogue between Bard and Carson, post-reunion of the Hilliard family. Their exchange delves into Bard's evolving worldview, tinged with newfound cynicism yet kindling a flicker of hope. These reflections, extracted from the drama's fabric but occurring beyond its main events, contribute to the story’s gradual unraveling.
Suspense
Undoubtedly, The Desperate Hours thrives on suspense, ensnaring its audience from the initial whispers of a jailbreak to the final demise of the last convict. The play masterfully employs two distinct strategies to sustain this tension. Firstly, it revolves around a volatile hostage scenario, where the balance of power teeters precariously between opposing sides. Secondly, the characters Glenn Griffin and Dan Hilliard are crafted with an air of unpredictability, defying expectations and strategic logic. This volatility keeps the audience on tenterhooks, ensuring they remain vigilant lest a pivotal twist slip by unnoticed.
Compare and Contrast
Shifts in National Security Concerns
• 1950s: In the tense atmosphere of the Cold War era, the specter of Communist infiltration haunted American minds. The House Un-American Activities Committee in Congress conducted intense hearings, probing to unearth any foreign influences that might have compromised the nation's security.
Today: In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, vigilance against foreign threats resurged among Americans. The newly established Department of Homeland Security took center stage, dedicated to thwarting potential dangers from within the borders of the United States.
Evolution of Women's Roles in the Workplace
• 1950s: For young women like Cindy Hilliard, employment in a law office typically meant taking on the role of secretary, as Cindy does in this scenario.
Today: The landscape has transformed, where now a young woman in a law office might be found donning the mantle of a lawyer or navigating the complexities as a paralegal with equal likelihood.
Technological Advancements in Communication
• 1950s: When tracking down Glenn Griffin’s girlfriend, police could scrutinize calls flowing between Columbus, Ohio, and Indianapolis over a few hours to gather clues.
Today: The advent of wireless communication and the labyrinth of Internet service providers render such straightforward monitoring an impossibility.
Retail and Service Accessibility
• 1950s: Much like other shops, gas stations adhered to the rhythm of day and night, closing at dusk and reopening with dawn's light. The criminals in The Desperate Hours, plotting their nocturnal escape, had no choice but to procure gasoline before the stations shuttered.
Today: Save for the most remote regions, gas stations can be found operating through the night, ready to serve those in need of fuel at any hour.
Changing Educational Practices
• 1950s: Teachers like Miss Swift, as depicted in the play, might personally visit a student's home if the child reported sick.
Today: Schools now employ social workers in their support networks to address concerns regarding a student's home environment, yet a teacher's personal visit to a student's residence is a rare occurrence.
Media Adaptations
• In the cinematic year of 1955, the stage play The Desperate Hours clinched a Tony Award and was transformed into a gripping film featuring the legendary Fredric March alongside the iconic Humphrey Bogart. The screenplay was deftly crafted by Hayes, under the masterful direction of William Wyler. This classic piece of cinema can be found on VHS and DVD through Paramount Home Pictures.
The 1990 Revival
• Fast forward to 1990, when director Michael Cimino breathed new life into the story, presenting a fresh take with reimagined characters and a contemporary narrative. This iteration credits Hayes as a writer, collaborating with Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal. The film stars the dynamic duo of Mickey Rourke and Anthony Hopkins, and can be enjoyed via MGM/UA video.
Bibliography and Further Reading
SOURCES
Reisman, David, The Lonely Crowd: A Study of the Changing American Character, rev. ed., Yale University Press, 2001.
Terry, C. V., ‘‘Nightmare at the Hilliards,’’ in New York Times Review of Books, February 28, 1954, p. 5.
FURTHER READING
Adler, Thomas P., American Drama, 1940–1960: A Critical History, Twayne Publishers, 1994. Adler provides a background of the theatrical scene at the time when The Desperate Hours appeared.
Heilman, Robert Bechtold, Tragedy and Melodrama: Versions of Experience, University of Washington Press, 1968. A famous drama critic examines the art and skill involved in writing a play in a generic form, studying the artistic precedents that go back to antiquity.
Nathan, George Gene, The Theatre of the Fifties, Alfred A. Knopf, 1953. Written at about the same time that Hayes was working in New York theatre and writing this play, Nathan gives an impressionistic sense of what life was like at the time.
Rosen, Carol, Plays of Impasse: Contemporary Drama Set in Confining Situations, Princeton University Press, 1983. Rosen does not specifically look at The Desperate Hours, but her book does examine the category of plays that this one falls into.
