The Adding Machine

The Adding Machine was written and first performed almost one hundred years ago, in 1923. What can we learn today as readers from such an old play?

As a morality tale, many of the characters’ opinions are outdated, and some of their expressions are considered bold faced examples of sexism and racism today. Why is it important revisit these challenging topics, and what merit–if any–can be gleaned by preserving them?

While The Adding Machine puts the focus on Zero’s experience of life (and afterlife), the first scene in the play is comprised of a monologue performed by a secondary character, Mrs. Zero. Why would Elmer Rice have chosen to structure his play in this way?