Get away, old man, a play in two acts.

by William Saroyan

Here again is the inimitable Saroyan. As always there is the tender searching in the hearts of characters, and some incisive glances into the sick souls of our time. "Get Away Old Man" is a title taken from a pathetic rhyme that goes: "For an old man he is old/ And an old man he is gray/ But a young man's heart is full of love/ Get away, old man, get away." The young man refers to a brilliant, pure-in-heart writer who is caught up in the carnivorous jowls of Hollywood; while the old man is the infinitely wealthy producer who can buy and despoil the flesh of the young, but who for all his money cannot buy the intangible and inviolate products of the writer's heart. In the end the blind and bull-headed producer is still butting his head against a thick wall, while the young writer and his beloved escape to a new and more joyful land, where old men cannot enter.

Genres: American

Paperback

First published January 1, 1944

About the author

William Saroyan was an Armenian-American writer, renowned for his novels, plays, and short stories. He gained widespread recognition for his unique literary style, often characterized by a deep appreciation for everyday life and human resilience. His works frequently explored themes of Armenian-American immigrant experiences, particularly in his native California, and were infused with optimism, humor, and sentimentality.
Saroyan's breakthrough came with The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze (1934), a short story that established him as a major literary voice during the Great Depression. He went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940 for The Time of Your Life, though he declined the award, and in 1943, he won an Academy Award for Best Story for The Human Comedy. His novel My Name Is Aram (1940), based on his childhood, became an international bestseller.
Though celebrated for his literary achievements, Saroyan had a tumultuous career, often struggling with financial instability due to his gambling habits and an unwillingness to compromise with Hollywood. His later works were less commercially successful, but he remained a prolific writer, publishing essays, memoirs, and plays throughout his life.
Saroyan's legacy endures through his influence on American literature, his contributions to Armenian cultural identity, and the honors bestowed upon him, including a posthumous induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame. His remains are divided between Fresno, California, and Armenia, reflecting his deep connection to both his birthplace and ancestral homeland.

Reviews

[وائل المنعم · Rating 1 out of 5]

مسرحية في غاية السوء تفتقد لأي عنصر جذب من عناصر المسرحية، فالايقاع يبط سريعا بعد المشهد الأول ويكون من الصعب الاهتمام بالشخصيات وتطورها نتيجة الحوار الممل وسطحية الشخصيات.

[Rosaux · Rating 1 out of 5]

ألقي القبض عليَّ ثلاث مرات في حياتي الأولى في الميتم، والثانية في المدرسة، والثالثة في الجيش. فقضيت أربع سنوات في الميتم وسبعاً في المدرسة وثلاثاً في الجيش. وفي كلّ مرة يُلقى فيها القبض عليَّ، يبدو الزمن حينها ثقيلاً أبدياً، لكنني كنتُ مخطئاً فالحقيقة هي انني قد ألقي القبض على منذ أن ولدت، منذ أن أبصرتُ نور الحياة

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

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