The play Miss Julie unfolds in a kitchen belonging to the Count, where two servants, Jean and Kristine, engage in gossip about the Count's daughter, Miss Julie. As the midsummer festivities take place, Julie's behavior becomes the center of their conversation. The play examines themes of class and power dynamics, underscoring the complexities of human relationships.

Servants' Chatter

In the opening act, Jean, the valet, chats with Kristine, the cook, about Miss Julie's unconventional actions. Jean finds it scandalous that Julie dances with the servants instead of accompanying her father to visit relatives. Kristine adds that Julie's behavior has deteriorated since she ended her engagement. Jean recounts a story of Julie "training" her former fiancé like a dog, ultimately leading to a dramatic confrontation. He observes that Julie's personality is a blend of aristocratic airs and common behavior, reminiscent of her late mother.

An Invitation to Dance

Julie soon enters the scene and asks Jean to dance with her. Initially, Jean hesitates since he promised the dance to Kristine, yet Julie persuades him. They leave the stage together, leaving Kristine to her duties in the kitchen. Upon their return, they converse, and Jean reveals his taste for aristocratic pleasures, contrasting with Julie's preference for beer over wine. Amidst this, Kristine falls asleep, leaving Jean and Julie to further explore their complex relationship.

A Dangerous Intimacy

Julie desires to dance again, but Jean cautions her about the rumors concerning her closeness with male servants. As Kristine retires to bed, Julie finds herself alone with Jean, vacillating between demanding equality and asserting dominance. Jean confesses a childhood infatuation with Julie, likening her father's garden to the Garden of Eden and Julie as the symbol of unattainable social ascent. Their conversation is interrupted by a group of servants singing a lewd song about them, prompting Jean to suggest that they hide in his room to protect Julie's reputation. After the servants leave, it is apparent that Julie and Jean have crossed a boundary in their relationship.

The Consequences of Passion

Their reputations tarnished, Jean suggests they escape together, possibly to Switzerland to start a hotel. Julie, attempting to transform their encounter into romance, implores Jean to express love for her and address her by her first name. Jean, however, denies such familiarity, seeing it as a possibility only in a future where he attains wealth and status, perhaps by purchasing a noble title. As the conversation turns harsh, Jean demands money to leave, but Julie confesses she has none, escalating her fears of public ridicule. Jean's cruel words echo as he accuses her of behaving worse than a servant girl.

Reflections on Family and Gender

Jean's demeanor softens, and the idea of elopement resurfaces. Julie shares her family's troubled history, including her mother's radical beliefs in gender equality, which resulted in Julie being raised as a boy. This ideology, enforced on the estate, led to financial disaster as gender roles were reversed. Eventually, Julie's father regained control, but a mysterious fire attributed to her mother devastated their properties. Julie's mother, entangled with a lover, secured a deceptive loan that was truly the family's money. From these experiences, Julie inherited a deep disdain for men, yet she is powerless against her own desires.

Decisions and Desperation

Despite professing hatred for Jean, Julie desires to flee together. Jean suggests she should leave alone, but Julie refuses, asking for his guidance. He instructs her to prepare for their departure, and Julie exits to change while Kristine reenters, intuitively understanding the situation. Kristine's respect for Julie deteriorates, prompting her departure to attend church, where she vows to...