One of the founding members of the Provincetown Players, Susan Glaspell contributed to American literature in ways that exceed the work she did for this significant theatre group. Interwoven in her many plays, novels and short stories is astute commentary on the human condition. This volume provides an in-depth examination of Glaspells writing and how her language conveys her insights into the universal dilemma of society versus self. Glaspells ideas transcended the plot and character. Her work gave prominent attention to such issues as gender, politics, power and artistic daring. Through an exploration of eight plays written between the years of 1916 and 1943Trifles, Springs Eternal, The People, Alisons House, Bernice, The Outside, Chains of Dew and The Vergethis work concentrates on one of Glaspells central themes: individuality versus social existence. It explores the range of forces and fundamental tensions that influence the perception and communication of her characters. The final chapter includes a brief commentary on other Glaspell works. A biographical overview provides background for the authors reading and interpretation of the plays, placing Glaspell within the context of literary modernism.