The Great God Brown

The Great God Brown Summary | Prologue Summary

The Great God Brown is a four-act play which follows the lives of the three main characters and their relationship with each other. The protagonist is Dion Anthony, a tortured, sensitive artist, who is married to Margaret, who assumes a motherly role toward her husband. The character for whom the play is named is Billy Brown; he is a lifelong friend of Dion's and Margaret's who becomes a successful architect.

As the prologue begins, it is a night in mid-June at a pier where nearby a high school commencement dance is in full swing. Mr. and Mrs. Brown stroll with their son, Billy and the family talks of Billy's future plans to become an architect and become associated with Mr. Brown's building firm. Mr. Brown is indignant because his own partner, Mr. Anthony, will not agree with him to expand the construction company they own.

After the Browns have strolled away, the Anthony family comes to the pier. In contrast to the Browns, the Anthonys seem like strangers to each other, remain separated and speak disjointedly. Dion's parents do not agree about Dion's future; Mrs. Anthony would like Dion to attend college and cultivate his artistic talents, but Mr. Anthony feels that college is a breeding ground for sloth and that Dion will only return one day to live off his father's efforts. Mr. Anthony changes his mind, though, after Mrs. Anthony reveals that the Browns intend to send Billy to college to become an architect for the company.

After the Anthonys return to the dance, Billy and Margaret, the girl Billy is very fond of, come out onto the pier. Margaret wears a mask that is an exact replica of her own face. Billy tries to make some awkward romantic gestures, but Margaret is in love with Dion and removes her mask to tell Billy of her true feelings. Billy realizes that he is beaten but vows enduring friendship.

Dion is seen at the pier and he also wears a mask, which is removed when he speaks to his best friend, Billy. Billy can see his friend's shy, sensitive nature and tells him that Margaret loves Dion and he will back out of the situation. Dion is pleased by this news and hopes that Margaret's love will remove his mask forever. When Margaret finds Dion on the pier, she does not recognize him without the mask so he is forced to put it back on. Margaret's one goal in life is to become Mrs. Dion Anthony and she vows to love Dion and all his insecurities.