<p>Susan Keating Glaspell (1876 - 1948) was a novelist playwright journalist and actress. The Verge reflects Glaspell's observation of the way in which Victorian society left some women feeling trapped in roles for which they were unsuited.</p> <p>The story is about Claire a woman who lives her life on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Trying to create a new type of plant Claire spends most of her time in the greenhouse. </p><p>One winter with a house full of guests she diverts the heat to the greenhouse. She tries to leave her family and friends outside in the cold and their attempts to bring her back to the real world drive her over the edge into utter insanity. The language of The Verge is unusual. The characters sometimes speak in poetic fragments rather than everyday speech.</p> <p>What’s more symbolism features heavily in the play. Of course it all ends in death and destruction with Claire humming 'Nearer My God to Thee” and with a smoking gun in her hand and a dead man at her feet.</p>