"I'm talking about love and honor and manliness, and tenderness, and persecution. I'm talking about a lot. You haven't understood any of it."

A thorough and heartbreaking dissection of masculinity and the impossibility of proving it. 1953's Tea and Sympathy touches on sexuality and suicidal tendencies in a time when such conversations were taboo both in life and on stage. Certain themes made my modern sensibilities uncomfortable at times

Laura's actions with Tom toe the line of consent and coercion

, but overall it is a moving and forward thinking work of drama, one that I would love to see adapted on stage.