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Ryan Cooke
Prof. Vinson W. Jaye
THR 120 WB2
24 April 2023
Driving Miss Daisy response paper - applying knowledge of contemporary theatre
Driving Miss Daisy is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Alfred Uhry that tells the story of
Daisy Werthan, an elderly Jewish widow living in Atlanta, and her African-American chauffeur,
Hoke Colburn. The play is set between the years 1948 and 1973, and follows the development of
an unlikely friendship between Daisy and Hoke as they confront the personal and social issues of
prejudice and ageism.
The protagonist of this play is Daisy Werthan, an elderly Jewish widow who is
determined to maintain her independence. When she crashes her car, her son, Boolie, arranges
for her to have a chauffeur, Hoke Colburn. Daisy and Hoke's relationship gets off to a rocky
start, but they gradually form a close friendship over the years. Daisy is a complex, multidimensional character who is both stubborn and wise. She is fiercely independent and resistant to
change, but she is also open-minded and tolerant of others.
The antagonist of the play is prejudice and racism. Despite the fact that Daisy and Hoke
come from very different backgrounds, they are able to form a strong bond of friendship. This
friendship is challenged by the pervasive racism and prejudice of the time. Daisy and Hoke both
have to confront the social conventions and expectations of the era, and they come to understand
the importance of accepting and respecting each other's differences.
The main themes of this play include racism and prejudice, the independence of the
elderly, and the power of friendship. Driving Miss Daisy is a humorous and touching story of
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two people from very different backgrounds who are able to find common ground and develop a
strong bond of friendship. The play also speaks to the importance of understanding and
respecting other cultures and points of view, and the power of friendship to transcend social
conventions and prejudices.
The dialogue in Driving Miss Daisy is characterized by a combination of humor and
pathos. The play is both a comedy and a drama, and the characters' witty banter reflects the
complexity of their relationship. The dialogue is often witty, but it also has moments of
poignancy and depth. It is this combination of comedy and drama that makes the dialogue of this
play so engaging and compelling.
Driving Miss Daisy is an insightful and powerful play that explores the themes of racism,
prejudice, and the power of friendship. It is a story of two people from very different
backgrounds who are able to find common ground and develop a strong bond of friendship. This
classic play continues to resonate with audiences today, and its themes of tolerance,
understanding, and friendship remain as relevant as ever.