Miss Julie is a one-act, naturalistic play set in Sweden on Midsummer's Eve. Miss Julie is the daughter of a count. Despite her higher social class, she dances with the servants and flirts with Jean, a valet. Julie and Jean's flirting is actually a battle for power and control. Their battle is made more complicated when they sleep together. The two make a plan to run off together, but are stopped by Kristine, the cook. With Jean's help, Miss Julie decides that her only option is suicide.
Miss Julie: Strong-willed daughter of the Count who owns the estate. Raised by her late mother to "think like and act like a man", she is a confused individual. She is aware of the power she holds but switches between being above the servants and flirting with Jean. She longs to fall from her pillar, an expression symbolically put across as a recurring dream she has.
Jean: Manservant to the Count. He tells a story of seeing Miss Julie many times as a child and loving her even then, but the truth of the story is later denied. There is good evidence both for and against its veracity. He left the town and traveled widely, working many different jobs as he went, before finally returning to work for the count. He has aspirations to rise from his station in life and manage his own hotel, and Miss Julie is part of his plan. He is alternately kind and callous. Despite his aspirations, he is rendered servile by the mere sight of the count's gloves and boots.
Christine (or Kristine): The cook in the Count's household. She is devoutly religious and apparently betrothed to Jean, although they refer to this marriage almost jokingly.
The Count: Miss Julie's father. He is never seen, but his gloves and his boots are on stage, serving as a reminder of his power. When the bell sounds, his presence is also noted more strongly.
Already have an account? Log In Now