Ruth Goetz (1908–2001)

"The Heiress" is simply genius. It is written with such economy. My interest in this play was piqued by the latest Broadway revival starring Jessica Chastain, David Strathairn and Judith Ivey, which I saw twice. Since then I have also watched the film version starring Olivia DeHavilland (William Wyler, 1949). However--I prefer the stage play to the film. The momentum created by the writing is more keenly felt via live theatre and thus the impact is stronger. When I first saw the film version of "The Heiress" years ago, I found the ending to be very depressing. As if the protagonist / anti-heroine, Catherine Sloper, is throwing her life away to get revenge for being jilted. [I had a similar reaction to the end of Federico Fellini's "Juliet of the Spirits", having first seen it in my early 30s and then having returned to it and watched it, repeatedly, in my early 50s.] However, now after having seen both the play, as well as the film version of "The Heiress", some 20 years later--I can see how Catherine, in rejecting Morris, also emancipates herself. She chooses not to settle. Perhaps she knows that she can do better. If she wanted to--She could "buy a man". On the other hand--Catherine's money could end up being a kind of curse--Wherein no man could be trusted because he would only want her for her wealth. In this case--Catherine would end up living a "long and lonely life"--As her aunt Lavinia Penniman infers in the final scene of Act II. Of course the matter is open to interpretation--Which is yet another reason why this play is so great.

The complexity of this drama also reminds me of the film "Sunset Boulevard" in the way I see something new in it with each viewing. Watching or reading "The Heiress" is like looking into a kaleidoscope and seeing different patterns each time. This play also speaks to core issues within capitalist society, IE where property is often valued above affection. The subtext of the play asks the question: Can anyone truly be trusted in a situation where the potential exists for financial gain? How many men (or women) would marry for money if the opportunity were to arise? And of course the emotional tone of the drama makes it compelling as well. Catherine is abused by her father; she is blamed for having killed her mother in childbirth. Her father criticizes her constantly throughout the play. And so it becomes obvious that Catherine has a low opinion of herself--And one ultimately understands why she is so stilted and awkward. But in the end--Dr. Sloper dies and Catherine becomes fabulously wealthy as a result. And who's to say that she won't use this to her advantage?… (mais)