The Jerome family includes Eugene's older brother Stanley; his parents Kate and Jack; Kate's sister Blanche; and Blanche's two daughters, Nora and Laurie, who came to live at Kate and Jack's home following the death of Blanche's husband.
The play begins outside the Jeromes' home. Fourteen-year-old Eugene is playing baseball by himself, imagining that he is playing in the World Series. After Kate yells at Eugene to stop playing, he enters the house. Eugene informs the audience that when he grows up, he wants to be a professional baseball player or a writer. Later, he mentions that he is sexually attracted to his cousin Nora and that his cousin Laurie has a health condition that leads others in the family to baby her.
Sixteen-year-old Nora enters the house in a state of excitement. She has been given the opportunity to audition for a part as a dancer in a Broadway show, and she has been told by the producer that she will get the part if her mother permits her to audition. Blanche states that she is concerned about Nora's idea because she does not want her daughter to drop out of school; nevertheless, Blanche decides to wait until Jack comes home from work to see what he has to say.
When Stanley gets home from work, he informs Eugene that he has been fired. After a black co-worker was treated unfairly by the boss, Stanley stood up for him. After his boss responded negatively, Stanley swept dirt on his boss's shoes. If he wants his job back, he has to give the boss an apology letter the next morning. Stanley is conflicted between standing up for what is right and helping the cash-strapped family financially. He decides to discuss the matter with Jack.
Jack arrives home from work and tells Kate that the business where he worked at his second job has gone under. He is concerned about the family's finances. A tense family dinner follows, and Laurie mentions Nora’s potential audition. Later, Nora and Jack take a walk to the beach to discuss the situation.
Upstairs, Eugene tells Stanley that he has had an erotic dream that resulted in a nocturnal emission. Stanley assures him that wet dreams are normal for teenaged boys. The brothers have a frank discussion about puberty and masturbation. Downstairs, Blanche tells Kate that she plans to go on a dinner date with a neighbor, Frank Murphy. Kate objects to this idea because of Murphy's ethnicity and his alcohol abuse. When Nora and Jack return home, Nora asks her mother for a final decision. Blanche refuses to give Nora permission to attend the audition because she wants her to finish high school; Nora is very angry.
Stanley tells Jack that he has been fired and explains the situation. His father is understanding. Stanley chooses to write the apology letter. He goes upstairs and asks for Eugene's help, as Eugene is a talented writer. Eugene agrees to write the letter, but only if Stanley tells him what Nora looked like when he saw her naked.
Act II takes place a week after Act I. Jack has suffered a mild heart attack and is resting at home. Blanche is preparing for her date with Frank Murphy. Stanley tells Eugene that he has lost his entire week's salary playing poker; he is despondent. Kate tells Stanley to turn over his pay to her so that she can give the money to Blanche in case an emergency arises during her date. Stanley tells her the truth about how he lost the money.
Frank Murphy's mother sends Blanche a note indicating that her son will not be available for their date because has been hospitalized following a car accident that occurred while he was driving drunk. The note added that the Murphys were moving upstate so that Frank could get help with his alcohol problem. Kate and Blanche have a terrible argument in which decades-long resentments come to the surface. Blanche decides she wants to move in with a friend, get a job, and find lodging for herself and her daughters so that she will no longer be dependent on her sister and Jack.
Stanley tells Eugene that he intends to leave home that night and join the Army. Later that evening, Blanche and Nora argue. Nora informs her mother that she does not believe her mother loves her as much as she loves Laurie. The two reconcile. Kate comes downstairs and asks Blanche to continue living in their home until she can find work. The sisters also reconcile.
Stanley returns home for dinner the next day. He passed the military physical, but decided not to sign up because he was needed at home. Stanley tells Jack about how he gambled away his salary, and Jack shows him love and understanding. Stanley promises to work odd jobs to get back the $17 that he lost.
Jack receives a letter stating that some relatives have escaped from war-torn Poland and are headed to New York City. He and Kate begin to discuss how they will provide lodging for the relatives when they arrive. Upstairs, Stanley gives Eugene a postcard of a nude woman. Eugene is transfixed, as he has--for the first time--viewed female genitalia (referred to by Eugene as "the Golden Palace of the Himalayas").[18]
Characters
- Eugene Morris Jerome, almost 15 years old.
- Stanley Jerome, 18½ years old: Eugene's older brother.
- Blanche Morton, 38 years old: Eugene's widowed aunt.
- Nora Morton, 16½ years old: Eugene's older cousin.
- Laurie Morton, 13 years old: Eugene's younger cousin.
- Kate Jerome, about 40 years old: Eugene's mother.
- Jacob "Jack" Jerome, about 40 years old: Eugene's father.
