Flyin' West

Flyin' West Summary | Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

Flyin' West takes place at the home of Sophie Washington and Fannie Dove, black women who have homesteaded near the all-black town of Nicodemus, Kansas. It is autumn of 1898, and the women, who are in their 30's have opened their home to Miss Leah, a 73-year-old black woman who owns neighboring property. Sophie and Fannie don't want Miss Leah to be isolated at her home alone during the upcoming winter, and the old woman has grudgingly accepted their offer.

As the play opens, Sophie and Miss Leah are discussing the increasing prevalence of all-Negro communities; they worry that the threat of white speculators will ruin their independence and their homesteads. Sophie is an assertive and innovative young woman who has launched plans to expand the town of Nicodemus and is only temporarily daunted by the recent letter from a schoolteacher declining the offer of a position for the spring.

Sophie's willfulness and Miss Leah's age make the two women a formidable pair; Fannie, however, is a bit more soft-hearted. As Sophie and Miss Leah continue their cantankerous conversation, Fannie is strolling outside with Wil Parrish, a neighbor who looks after Miss Leah's house and who also has amorous intentions toward Fannie.

After Wil leaves for the evening, Sophie and Fannie discuss the upcoming visit of Minnie, Fannie's sister, who will be bringing her new husband, Frank, for his first visit to Nicodemus. Minnie and Frank live in London, and the only reason Frank is back in the United States is to settle some estate matters related to his father's recent death.