See more monologues from George Bernard Shaw
Ellie Dunn is a practical young woman. After a growing up in the poor
READ MORE - PRO MEMBERS ONLY
Join the StageAgent community to learn more about this monologue from Heartbreak House and unlock other amazing theatre resources!
Already a member? Log in
READ MORE - PRO MEMBERS ONLY
Upgrade to PRO to learn more about this monologue from Heartbreak House and unlock other amazing theatre resources!
ELLIE: (fiercely) Oh, don’t slop and gush and be sentimental. Don’t you see that unless I can be hard -- hard as nails -- I shall go mad? I don’t care a damn about your calling me names: do you think a woman in my situation can feel a few hard words?
[HESIONE: Poor little woman! Poor little situation!]
ELLIE: I suppose you think you’re being sympathetic. You are just foolish and stupid and selfish. You see me getting a smasher right in the face that kills a whole part of my life: the best part that can never come again; and you think you can help me over it by a little coaxing and kissing. When I want all the strength I can get to lean on: something iron, something stony, I don’t care how cruel it is, you go all mushy and want to slobber over me. I’m not angry; I’m not unfriendly; but for God’s sake do pull yourself together; and don’t think that because you’re on velvet and always have been, women who are in hell can take it as easily as you.
Shaw, George Bernard. Heartbreak House. The Modern Library, New York, NY. 1953, pp. 422.
Purchase the script for Heartbreak House here.
More about this monologue
