Lillian Hellman was a well-known American dramatist who was born in 1905 in New Orleans ("Hellman," 1999). She later moved and attended New York public schools and went on to go to New York University and Columbia University as well. Within the confines of her youth, there had been confusion about her family background (Harmon, 1999). There has always been talk about her parents troubled marriage and other events have cropped up to make Hellman an intriguing figure. Yet, she went on to grow up and find a husband, something typical in her day. She married another playwright named Arthur Kober, but this relationship ended in divorce ("Hellman," 1999; James, 1999). Her intimate friendship with the novelist Dashiell Hammett would continue until his death in 1961 (1999). Yet, Hellman would never remarry.

Hellman did not begin to write plays until the 1930s, her dramas are well known for focusing on various forms of evil ("Hellman," 1999). Her work has not escaped criticism however. She has been criticized at various times for her doctrinaire views but she nevertheless kept her characters from becoming social points of view by including credible di

Hellman, Lillian.(1999)."Women in American history" Britannica Online [online]

Hellman, L. (1979). "The Children's Hour." Six Plays by Lillian Hellman.

The work reminds one of contemporary cases of child abuse in schools where children lie for various reasons. Inevitably, the lies are corroborated and believed. In this play, the lies seem to go deeper. Many people do have a difficult time dealing with false accusations. Still, many go on to fight another day. For the primary characters in The Children's Hour, no one is victorious. Even Mary, the little girl who lies, seems to have significant problems. One might ask whether or not she herself is troubled or just engaging in childish behavior. But her words ruin lives and that can be seen by the dramatic speech Karen makes: "Try to understand this: you're not playing with paper dolls. We're human beings, see? It's our lives you're fooling with. Our lives. That's serious business for us." (Hellman, 1979, p.47)

Barra, A. (1996, August 4). "Distorted Pentimento? New book promotes revisionist view of Hellman and Hammett." St. Louis Post-Dispatch pp. 04D

Hellman, L. (1979). "The Little Foxes." Six Plays by Lillian Hellman. New York: Vintage Books. pp. 147-199

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