"The Ponder Heart" is a play by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov based on a novella by Eudora Welty that was published in The New Yorker in 1953.
Synopsis
The play is about Uncle Ponder who marries a backwoods girl, a bad match known to everyone but him. He buys her all the pretty things from advertisements that she wants, electric refrigerator, washer, dishwasher, television, etc - even though they do not have electricity in the home. When she tragically dies from a lightening strike he is accused of murder and is put on trial.
Scene: The action of the play occurs in and around a small town in the south, a few years ago (c1950).
Act 1: The Beulah Hotel
Act 2: The Ponder Hill House
Act 3: The Courthouse
Characters
- Jacob
- Sarah
- Mr. Springer
- Edna Earle Ponder
- De Yancey Clanahan
- Big John
- Narciss
- Purdel Peacock
- Bruce Peacock
- Treva Peacock
- Johnnie Ree Peacock
- Mr. Peacock
- Mrs. Peacock
- Eloise
- Uncle Daniel Ponder
- Dorris R. Gladney
- Bonnie Dee Ponder
- Sam
- Rodney
- Willie
- Teacake Magee
- Judge Waite
- Dr. Eubanks
- Truex Bodkin
- Mrs. Bodkin
- Al
- Clyde
- Clerk
- Bailiff
- Foreman
Production History
Date | Play | Company |
---|---|---|
Feb 16, 1956 | The Ponder Heart |