36 pages • 1 hour read
William IngePicnic
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1953A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Picnic by William Inge revolves around the intertwined lives of the Owens family and their neighbors during a small-town Labor Day picnic. The plot centers on Madge Owens, who is torn between her attraction to a handsome drifter named Hal and her relationship with a wealthy suitor, Alan, amidst generational conflicts and societal expectations in post-World War II America.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Many reviewers praise William Inge's Picnic for its rich character development and exploration of post-war American life, highlighting its vivid portrayal of human desires and social constraints. Some, however, criticize its pacing and melodramatic elements. Overall, it's lauded for capturing the complexities of love and societal expectations in a small-town setting.
Who Should Read Picnic?
Readers who enjoy Picnic by William Inge are likely fans of character-driven narratives exploring small-town America. They appreciate intricate relationships and social dynamics akin to those in Thornton Wilder's Our Town and Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, valuing deep emotional and psychological insight.