3 Review(s)

The play opens with Trebell working on his bill to disestablish the Church of England, intending to allocate its wealth to education. However, Trebell’s affair with Amy O’Connell, a married woman, results in her pregnancy. When Amy decides to seek an abortion, complications arise that ultimately lead to her death and, consequently, Trebell’s ruin. As his private life spirals out of control, Trebell finds himself abandoned by colleagues and friends who distance themselves from his "scandalous" behavior to protect their own ambitions and reputations.Waste is a critique of the political system and its inherent conservatism, revealing how rigid moral codes and hypocrisy thwart genuine progress and sacrifice individual potential for the sake of public image. Trebell's downfall, a "waste" of talent and ideals, symbolizes the broader waste of potential within society when personal flaws are used to destroy meaningful contributions. Granville-Barker’s bold themes, complex characters, and sharp social commentary make Waste a powerful work that remains relevant for its critique of political and social morality.