Machinal

Machinal

This space is dedicated to the play by Sophie Treadwell, Machinal, and the historical events that the play was inspired upon. Throughout the exploration of the text, it is easy to see the effect that the real life murder case, involving the execution of Ruth Snyder, had an enormous impact on Sophie Treadwell as a writer. Treadwell is able to help the reader into the main character's mind by using an intense stream of consciousness, showing her thoughts as they occur. In her unique play, Treadwell captures the inspired, untold story of a highly publicized murder trial, and the way in which women were regarded in the 1920's.