Why Marry?: A Comedy in Three Acts

Why Marry? was the first play by Jesse Lynch Williams and it was difficult to live up to since it won the first Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1918. Originally titled And So They Were Married it is a smart and humorous look at society’s view of marriage and love and how the two aren’t always the same or even appear to be related. While this theme could still be used today, the play probably wouldn’t do very well with a modern audience since it is clearly a product of the early 20th century. Nevertheless, for those who enjoy classic plays, this one is certainly well done. The subjects of the play’s title are Helen and Ernest. Helen is a woman with a career as Ernest’s lab assistant, and the two have fallen in love Helen has become convinced that the worst thing they can do is get married; after all scientists are not paid well and she does not want to disrupt his career or hers. Ernest is more inclined to get married, but Helen is able to sway him with her arguments.