The Grass Harp (Play)
by Truman Capote

THE STORY: “In the first section of the play Mr. Capote is writing with an original, offbeat humor that seems completely irresponsible.

It has been gathered out of his vagrant memories and turned into comedy.

But he has something more than a frolic in mind.

For the greater part of THE GRASS HARP is an idyll about the pure in heart who, like the meek, inherit the earth.

All the common impulses of the world are against the trio who find sanctuary in the treehouse.

The avaricious sis-ter is outraged.

The whole town is shocked and angry, and an armed posse invades the woods to capture the traitors to society and march them back to civilization.

One of the deputy sheriffs, doing his duty, shoots the youth and wounds him.

But THE GRASS HARP, being pure in heart itself, shows how much stronger the people of spirit are than the people of cant, discipline and selfishness.

Their triumph is modest and humble, but it is unmistakable in a final scene written with great tenderness.”

—The New York Times.