Desire Under the Elms Lesson Plan

What are some signs that the tension is going to break and that everything is going to come out into the open?

Strong answers will make a variety of observations. They may discuss the party (the dancing, drinking) as an event that is likely to make people less inhibited and bring out their true emotions, noting the contrasting gaiety and severity of Abbie and Eben's moods. They should identify the various ways people at the party express their knowledge of the truth. For example, the Man tells Abbie to consider him if she ever gets tired of Eben. And the Woman says, "What's happened in this house is as plain as the nose on your face." They may refer to the uneasy feelings...