The End of the Beginning

The End of the Beginning is a one-act farcical comedy by Sean O'Casey. It humorously explores gender roles and stereotypes about domestic work vs. outdoor work.

The story revolves around a couple, Darry Berrill and his wife Lizzie. Darry, an arrogant farmer, claims that housework is easy ('I'd do all that has to be done here... three times over'). He challenges Lizzie to switch roles: she goes out to mow the meadow while he stays in to manage the house. What follows is disaster.

• The Clock: Darry tries to wind the clock but breaks the spring.
• The Exercises: Darry tries to do calisthenics to a gramophone record but can't keep up, leading to a comedic physical struggle.
• Barry Derrill: Darry's nearsighted, clumsy friend arrives to help, but only adds to the chaos.
• The Broken Rockery: Darry accidentally knocks over a jug and breaks crockery.
• The Heifer Incident: To keep the cow (heifer) safe while they work, they tie a rope round its neck and drop the other end down the chimney, tying it to a chair. The cow wanders, pulling the chair (with Barry on it) up towards the ceiling.
• The Climax: In the confusion, Darry rushes to stop the cow but falls up the chimney as Lizzie returns to find the house in ruins.

• Gender Roles: The play challenges the idea that 'women's work' is easy. Darry's failure proves that domestic labor requires skill, planning, and patience just like any other job.
• Experience vs Arrogance: Darry's overconfidence leads to his downfall. The play teaches humility.
• Farce/Humour: Used to critique social attitudes without being preachy.

• Darry Berrill: Middle-aged, overconfident, dismissive of his wife's work.
• Lizzie Berrill: Practical, sensible, hardworking.
• Barry Derrill: Darry's friend; nearsighted, clumsy, and acts as a foil to Darry.