Summary of A. A. Milne's The Boy Comes Home

      

Introduction

A. A. Milne’s The Boy Comes Home is play about generation gap.  It is about a boy, Philip, who comes to his uncle’s, James, house after working in army for about 4 years.  The play says the change in the character of Philip in a comic way.

Uncle James in Dream

Philip comes home after four years of service in army.  He wakes up late and asks for breakfast to Mary, servant.  She says the Mrs. Higgins, the cook, would not give breakfast for it is too late.  Philip asks Mary to inform that he needs a ham and an egg.  Mary goes into the house. Later Aunt Emily comes and feels bad that Mrs. Higgins would leave the job, because Philip has asked for breakfast at 10AM.  Mrs. Higgins fights with Philip that she would not prepare breakfast.  Philip, immediately, asks her to resign.  She gets frightened and agrees to bring him a ham, egg and coffee.  Aunt Emily feels the change in Philip.  She feels happy about Philip’s action.

Philip goes into the kitchen and Uncle James comes.  He scolds Philip for being late.  Aunt Emily warns him to be polite with Philip for he has changed a lot.  Uncle James says that he would talk with Philip about his future.  Uncle James reads paper in the hall and he sleeps.  Philip comes in his dream and he says that he wishes to become an Architect.  He smokes in front of Uncle James.  Uncle James scolds him to behave well. 

Uncle James asks Philip to join him in his jam business.  Philip says no for his ideas.  He asks his uncle to leave him on his own.  Uncle James says that he cannot be independent until the age of 25, according to his father’s will.  Philip takes out his gun and threatens his uncle to accept with what he says.  Uncle James argues, so Philip takes out a bomb too.  Uncle James is threatened and agrees with Philip.  He fears of death.

Uncle James after Dream

Uncle James wakes up from his sleep and dream and finds Philip coming to him in real.  Philip asks sorry for being late.  He takes out his pipe and smokes.  This frightens Uncle James.  Uncle James says about his future plan for Philip-to join him in jam business.  Philip says that he would do any work other than wearing uniform.  Uncle James feels relieved.  Philip says that he wishes to sell his revolver, Uncle James laughs at hearing the word revolver.  Philip agrees to join him the very day to do business.

After the dream, Uncle James behaves in a silly way.  He laughs awkwardly many times.  He smiles for no reason.  He feels much relieved because Philip does not behave like how he behaved in his dream.

Conclusion

            In the play Uncle James, in the dream, does not understand the real thoughts of Philip.  Mary and Aunt Emily are able to understand Philip and they act as the bridge between Philip and Uncle James.