On Dartmoor by Neil Grant

 On Dartmoor : Neil Grant 

  

Answer to question

1.state the theme of the play.

Answer.The main theme of this Play is that it deals with degradation And cruelty.it is in this generosity that they come to prisoner bill syme and sergeant read for help.He then helps and shelters both of them as guests. He goes to both the prisoner and steals the jewelry and cuts the telephone wire. Muriel and Leonora then realised that this is the prisoners and the villain trap them and leave.but then when friendly comes to ask for their help, both the girls kill him with cushion and a scarf.in fact it only kills those who come seeking help.

2.Bring out the satire in the play.

Answer.The irony in the play is that Muriel is given clothes to dress the escaped prisoner.He hides the prisoner from above and Muriel and Leonora pretend to read the Muriel consider pm.speech as a rotten speech.pm then comment on these women's clothes,a speech criticizing the rest of the people and satirising me.

3.Do you find anything farcical in the play?if so, point out and show its farcical nature.

Answer.The irony in the play is that Muriel and Leonora admit this escaped prisoner to the asylum.muriel and Leonora pretend to read.muriel then consider pm speech to be rotten speech.pm then comment on the women's clothes.A speech criticizing the rest in considered satire.

4.Describe the trick played upon the two ladies by the two thieves.

Answer.The play taken place in a room called curtain,which is owned by two girls, Muriel and Leonora.both girl consider themselves integral democrats.in this Play, Muriel advise the criminal to escape.but Muriel and Leonora shelter him when an escaped prisoner arrive at their home . they act like guests but the prisoner feels than the girl do not know the real world.Bill syme seems more intellectual than both girl.Bill syme teacher he girl how to be fair and tells them about his past.both girl get money from them for going to Russia.At the end of the play, suddenly someone knocked on the door,it was sergeant read himself.But it is called read.He start girl and finds him where bill syme his him upstairs both of them steal all prisoner who called the police then he realised that he was trapped by thase miscreants.

OVERVIEW

Neil Grant’s On Dartmoor is a one-act comedy that blends satire with farce. The play is set in a stylish bungalow on Dartmoor, where two young women—Muriel Armstrong and Leonora Astley—live with their modern, progressive ideas. They pride themselves on being free-thinking, sympathetic to outsiders, and even hold anarchist views.

The story begins when news spreads that a dangerous convict has escaped from prison. Soon after, Bill Syme, the convict, enters their home. Instead of being fearful, the two women are fascinated by him. They treat him kindly, offering food, money, and even shelter. Bill cleverly plays on their sympathies by telling stories of injustice, especially blaming Leonora’s judge grandfather, which makes him seem like a victim rather than a criminal.

The comedy deepens when two men pretending to be policemen arrive. Believing them, Muriel and Leonora hide Bill and trust the impostors—only to be robbed by them. Their faith in their ideals begins to collapse as they realize how easily they have been deceived. Just as they are trying to recover from this humiliation, another escaped prisoner, Fred Lee, arrives. This time, however, the women react differently: instead of helping, they tie him up and call the real police.

Through this shift, the play exposes the clash between idealism and reality. Muriel and Leonora’s lofty political views seem impressive in theory but prove impractical and even dangerous in real life. The play also satirizes the arrogance of the privileged classes, who talk about freedom and justice from their safe, comfortable homes but do not truly understand the struggles of ordinary people. Even their servants, who never appear on stage, are spoken of in dismissive ways, showing the hidden class prejudices of the household.

In the end, On Dartmoor is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It is a comedy filled with twists and ironies, but beneath the laughter lies a sharp critique of blind idealism, shallow politics, and the ease with which clever people can exploit the generosity of the naïve. It leaves the audience reflecting on how theory often fails when tested against the unpredictable, messy reality of life.