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The Warfare of the Flesh Synopsis
"The Warfare of the Flesh" does not mean a battle nor a struggle of flesh in the material sense. It means the eternal conflict our spirit and soul wage against the desires of the flesh. The warfare is between forces of good and those of evil. Thus the theme is developed by first showing the warfare of the flesh in the beginning, when the first transgressors were expelled from Heaven for their wrongdoing. We see the fallen angels in Hell and on Earth intent on spreading the scourge of evil. We see Satan and Sin in the Garden of Eden, and Sin tempts Eve, who is not strong enough to engage in a warfare with the desires of the flesh and win. We then pass on to the later civilization, and see the Magdalene about to be stoned because she was vanquished in the warfare of mind with matter. The Good Samaritan comes to her rescue, and the machinations of Satan and Sin are thus frustrated in a conflict with Good. Then there is a quick transition to the present era, and again we see Satan and Sin casting their ominous shadows over the affairs of mankind and accelerating evil, in the guise of a lady and gentleman of the leisure class. They temporarily befog the vision of weak men and women thrown into the maelstrom of life where the warfare of the flesh is perpetual. In the stress of circumstances the heroine is about to give up her fight with matter, but the eternal spirit of good again comes to the relief of the distressed and the unfortunate. Thus Satan and Sin lose out in a clash with the forces of Good.
Divorced Synopsis
Ralph Manson, who marries Leonore Fenwick, is led astray by a stage siren. His wife obtains a divorce, and is aided in sending her son to college by Robert Hadley, who induces her to live with him under promise of marriage as soon as he can obtain a divorce. His wife dies and he refuses to keep his promise to Mrs. Manson. The son, finding a check given by Hadley to his mother, has his suspicions aroused. The son demands an explanation, but his mother declares it was only a business matter. Then follows a scene between the son and his mother's lover, in which Hadley, after being enraged by the boy's words, disregards the plea of Mrs. Manson and tells the son the whole story. This causes the mother to lose her reason and she shoots Hadley. Mrs. Manson is tried for murder. The jury acquits her on the ground of temporary insanity, holding Hadley responsible for her loss of reason. Eugene has been in love with a girl who, in spite of the whole sordid affair and parental objection, sticks to him, and the play ends with the mother and son reunited, and the son wins the girl with whom he is in love.
"The Warfare of the Flesh" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "Divorced" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Warfare of the Flesh