Mary Chase did not win her Pulitzer Prize just because she wrote a charming comedy about a dysfunctional family and a man who sees a rabbit walking on two feet, but more so because she was able to encompass the entire sense and energy of the 1950s into a three act play about a dysfunctional family and a man who sees a rabbit. The 1950s was a bustling time to be an American; not only was the end of World War II beginning to take its wondrous effect on the country, but America was now, for the first time in their short history, the richest and most powerful country in the world. People walked around with complete sense of American pride, and it was the time to celebrate being who you are, and that includes people who see a six-and-a-half feet tall rabbit.
American Pride is a term that is almost synonymous with the ending of WWII. Women started to get a feel for the work force, numerous economical advances led to higher annual salaries, and doctors and scientists were beginning to advance medicine to a level it had never been to before. Maybe one of the biggest changes, however, is the social scene of the country. People were tired of being disconnected from the truths of the world, and couldn't necessarily get all of their information from the newspapers (it wasn't until the mid 50's that TVs appeared in a majority of houses), so countless numbers of clubs and organizations, ranging from the Country Club to the PTA were being formed to keep people connected and busy. Along with all these clubs and organizations, of course, comes the beloved socialite status, a craze that, unfortunately, some of the people I know are aspiring to attain thanks to shows like “The Hills” and “The Real Housewives: New York, Las Angeles, Atlanta, AND New Jersey. It was a time where it was easier and easier to be part of the upper class, and the rich upper class often gathered for tea at high noon or for the Wednesday Forum.
Not only were people in America richer than they had ever been, but they were also healthier than ever. Penicillin was introduced to the world, helping many people with some basic and some more serious problems, the first open heart surgery had occurred, electric shock had been seen to revive patients from cardiac arrest, and the pacemaker was invented. It was the golden era of medicine, too. The trust in doctors was increasing as diseases like Polio and the Yellow Fever were beginning to dissipate. Replacing these fears, however, were things like Health Spas or sanitariums, which are mental health facilities to be used by anyone who has mental distress, no matter how small or how large. The treatment process is decided on a case-by-case situation and treatment can range from pills to electroshock therapy, but they helped people feel “normal” again.
With all that said about the wonderful era of this play, not everything could go according to plan. After the Second World War, all was quiet on the western front, but a little too quiet. In 1950 Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed to have a list of 205 federal employees who were working for the Communist Party. Along with the idea that Communists could infiltrate the American government, there was a sense that there were Communists amongst the walking public. This invisible fear, the world's second Red Scare, eventually led to the Cold War, but more importantly to the disgust people have towards Harvey when they meet him. Chase is not only reminding the audience to this invisible fear that surrounded the early 1950's, but to exploit it and laugh at the silliness. However, she never expresses wether this “invisible” rabbit is real or not—it's left for you to find out!
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