The Sisters Rosensweig

by Wendy Wasserstein

Start Free Trial

Summary

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

The Rosensweig sisters converge in London for a family gathering, bringing their distinct lives and personalities into play. Act 1 introduces the dynamics and tensions among the siblings and their relationships. Act 2 delves deeper into the sisters' personal struggles and resolutions.

Act 1: Reunions and Revelations

The Rosensweig sisters' reunion in London kicks off with a mix of familial bonds and unresolved tensions. Pfeni, known for her eccentricity and worldly travels, attributes her lateness to "Jesse, Jesse the Sikh." Tess, Sara's daughter, shares with Pfeni her school project involving the study of her mother’s college singing group, for which she must write a biography on Sara's early life. Tess finds the project "pretentious" and longs to return to the U.S. for school.

When Pfeni inquires why Tess hasn't approached Sara about returning to America, Tess replies that her mother dismisses prestigious schools like Harvard and Yale as "second-rate institutions" and refuses to discuss the matter. Tess feels Sara worries she might emulate Pfeni's emotionally guarded and itinerant lifestyle, marked by a fear of commitment.

Expressing her disapproval of Tess's boyfriend Tom, Sara states, "I just don’t know what you have in common with someone who dreams of selling radio parts." Tess defends her relationship, pointing out that Tom hails from a "perfectly balanced and normal family," something Sara has never managed to maintain. Tess finds Tom preferable compared to Sara's dinner guest, "the socially acceptable, racist, sexist, and more than likely anti-Semitic Nicholas Pym." In a moment of concession, Sara invites Tom to dinner, acknowledging the rebellion she and Pfeni once shared.

Merv, a guest at the gathering, discusses with Geoffrey the potential of organizing a homeless benefit at the National. As Geoffrey departs to meet the delegation, leaving Merv behind, Pfeni exits to join Tess and Tom. Alone with Sara, Merv engages in conversation, noting she's "the first Jewish woman" he's met in her professional position. Sara corrects him, emphasizing her role as the "first woman" to lead a Hong Kong bank, avoiding ethnic references. Merv reveals his surname "used to be Kantlowitz" and offers to leave if she prefers.

Attempting to mask discomfort, Sara questions Merv's interest when she learns he's invited to her birthday dinner. Merv coolly recounts his long-standing friendship with Geoffrey from his days as a furrier. Sara, trying to deter Merv, mentions the intimate nature of the gathering and the non-kosher food choice. Unfazed, Merv continues discussing her literary and musical preferences, ignoring her attempts to discourage him.

Tess's remark, "It’s just like my mother to have a dinner party on the night the Soviet Union is falling apart," triggers a heated discussion. The conversation turns serious as Tess challenges Nicholas Pym on the Lithuanian resistance, a topic Merv supports by highlighting the Jewish history in Lithuania. Although Nicholas protests, Merv asserts that anti-Semitism is a core element of European nationalism. Tess's Jewish heritage surfaces, but Sara deflects by pointing out the religious struggles of families in Russia and Eastern Europe.

Post-dinner, Merv revisits the topic of ethnicity with Sara, linking it to a conversation about cooking. Sara, irritated, accuses him of having a "narrow perspective" and asks him to leave when his interest becomes overwhelming. Vulnerability surfaces as Sara begins to cry but insists she's not Merv's type. "You weren’t a nice Jewish girl," Merv observes, and Sara acknowledges his persistent focus on her heritage.

Act 2: Confrontations and Resolutions

As the early morning light filters through, Pfeni playfully dances with Geoffrey, who reveals he plans to retreat to the countryside with a former male lover. Geoffrey’s announcement stirs jealousy in Pfeni....

(This entire section contains 1315 words.)

Unlock this Study Guide Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

He asks, "What is it you want, angel, that's you're not getting? Do you want to get married?" She deftly avoids the topic of marriage and children, urging Geoffrey to dress for his meeting. Geoffrey chides her over incomplete work, lamenting lost opportunities among his friends, yet concludes that conventional domestic life isn't their path. "Pfeni, you and I can’t idle time," he insists.

Gorgeous intercepts them just before Geoffrey leaves for his breakfast meeting, probing into his intentions with Pfeni. After Geoffrey exits, Pfeni reproaches her sister for meddling in her personal affairs. Gorgeous hints at infidelity in Pfeni’s relationship, questioning Geoffrey's interests and cautioning Pfeni about being an "eccentric woman in her forties," suggesting her lifestyle might exclude her from the romantic market.

During breakfast, Sara can't evade Gorgeous's probing about her night with Merv. As Tess bluntly states, "Mother, you slept with that furrier last night. Everyone here knows that," Gorgeous seizes the chance to encourage Sara towards settling down. Sara counters, claiming she doesn't need mothering, and accuses Gorgeous of having a cluttered mind. Hurt, Gorgeous leaves, while Tess hints at leaving with Tom, declaring, "Let's go, Tom. Just because it’s not important to her [Sara] to have any passion in her life doesn’t mean we can’t."

Reflecting on their sister Gorgeous, Sara tells Pfeni she might be "the smartest one of us all" and pleads with Pfeni to speak with Tess, who mirrors Pfeni's wanderlust. Pfeni, understanding Tess's desire for Vilnius, admits a longing to join her. Sara laments Pfeni's avoidance of her journalistic calling, while Pfeni expresses gratitude for Sara’s insight, sharing a rare moment of intimacy that Sara quickly withdraws from.

Sara's distancing extends to Merv, who expresses confusion over her mixed signals. "I've never met anyone like you, Sara. You’re warm and cold all at the same time," he admits. Despite Sara's resistance, Merv confesses his admiration and desire to know her better. A verbal duel ensues, with Merv relenting to Sara’s objections, leaving her alone once more.

Later, Geoffrey returns in a heightened state, prompting Pfeni to challenge his "manic" behavior. He admits missing men, leading to a candid discussion about their relationship. Geoffrey attempts to reconcile his decisions, but Pfeni accepts his admission. "Today this is who I am. I have another choice. I miss men," he says, and she replies wryly, "It’s alright Geoffrey. I do too."

As Geoffrey departs with his lover, a drenched Gorgeous arrives, venting frustration at her sisters for their treatment during her visit. Sara offends Gorgeous by suggesting she call her husband for new shoes, revealing that Gorgeous’s husband hasn’t worked as a lawyer for two years, a revelation that shocks both Sara and Pfeni.

With tensions easing, the sisters' emotional barriers begin to crumble. Gorgeous learns of Pfeni’s breakup with Geoffrey and Sara's rejection of Merv's advances. Early Sunday morning, Pfeni queries Tess's plans for Vilnius, only to find Tess reconsidering her commitment after a night of reflection. Tess questions if they are "people who will always be watching and never belong."

Pfeni resolves to return to her journalistic work in Tajikistan. When the doorbell rings, Gorgeous and Pfeni are surprised to see Merv, responding to Sara’s call about his shirt. Merv brings a gift for Gorgeous, a Chanel suit with matching accessories gifted by her "ladies," which delights her.

Ready to leave, Pfeni bids goodbye, and Tess, with a knowing gesture, excuses herself, offering to retrieve Merv’s shirt. Sara privately confides in Merv, admitting she lacks answers for her own feelings. Merv points out the complexities in their relationship, noting, "but difficult can be engaging. Even surprising." He departs, but not without the promise of his return.

Tess informs Sara of her choice to part with Tom's journey to Vilnius, seeking a path separate from her mother’s. In doing so, she acknowledges her need to discover her own identity, declaring, "I don’t even know what mine is." Sara reassures her daughter, asserting that Tess shares her grandmother Rita's spirit and has the intelligence and courage to find her place in the world. The scene closes as Tess begins interviewing Sara for her project, signaling a new chapter for both.

Next

Themes

Loading...