Who is Regina Giddens and what is her primary goal?

Regina Giddens is the cunning and ambitious sister in the Hubbard family. Her primary goal is to escape her perceived financial subjugation by her brothers and gain substantial wealth and independence, which she believes she is entitled to. She manipulates those around her, including her ailing husband Horace and her daughter Alexandra, to achieve this aim.

How does Horace Giddens fit into the family's schemes?

Horace Giddens is Regina's terminally ill husband, who initially holds the key to the family's investment in the cotton mill. His refusal to provide Regina with his bonds, due to his disgust with her and her brothers' predatory nature, directly stalls their plans and forces Regina into more desperate and ultimately deadly actions to secure the money.

What role does Alexandra Giddens play in the story?

Alexandra Giddens is Regina and Horace's daughter, initially portrayed as naive and sheltered. She serves as a moral counterpoint to her corrupt family, gradually awakening to their wickedness, especially after witnessing her mother's cruelty towards Horace. Her journey represents a potential break from the cycle of Hubbard greed.

What is the significance of the 'foxes' in the play's title?

The 'foxes' in the title refer to the predatory and cunning nature of the Hubbard family members, who metaphorically consume each other and those weaker than them for personal gain. The title is drawn from the biblical passage, 'Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes,' symbolizing the destructive forces within the family.

What is the implied fate of Birdie Hubbard after the play concludes?

Birdie Hubbard, Oscar's wife, is left in a state of profound despair and likely continued alcoholism. Having lost her son Leo to his father's manipulative schemes and having her last hope for escape dashed by Alexandra's departure, her future is bleak, trapped in a loveless marriage and a household that despises her, with no one left to care for her.

Are there any subtle hints about the true nature of the Hubbard family's wealth beyond the mill investment?

While the cotton mill investment is the immediate focus, the play subtly suggests the Hubbard family's wealth has always been built on exploitation and questionable practices. Their history of acquiring property and controlling local businesses implies a long-standing pattern of predatory capitalism, with the mill being just the latest, largest venture.

How does Regina's past influence her current motivations and ruthless behavior?

Regina's past is marked by her brothers consistently excluding her from their most profitable ventures, treating her as a woman who should be provided for but not an equal partner. This long-standing resentment and a deep-seated desire to prove her own financial acumen and power fuel her extreme ruthlessness in securing wealth for herself, rather than relying on men.

Analyze the psychological dynamic between Oscar Hubbard and his son Leo.

Oscar psychologically dominates Leo, exploiting his son's weakness and lack of moral compass. Oscar grooms Leo to be his accomplice in theft and deceit, reflecting his own cruel and arrogant nature. Leo, desperate for his father's approval and a share of the family fortune, readily succumbs to Oscar's manipulation, demonstrating a deep-seated insecurity and moral cowardice.

What psychological impact does the Hubbard family environment have on Birdie?

The Hubbard family environment has utterly crushed Birdie's spirit, leading to severe depression and alcoholism. Her artistic sensitivities and gentle nature are incompatible with the Hubbards' brutality. She seeks solace in drink and nostalgic memories of her past, a clear psychological escape from the constant verbal abuse and emotional neglect she suffers at the hands of Oscar and Leo.

Is Regina a truly independent woman or merely a product of her patriarchal society, albeit a powerful one?

Regina is a complex figure. While she fiercely asserts her will and manipulates men to achieve her goals, her methods are often a twisted reflection of the patriarchal society's own ruthless capitalism. She seeks power within the existing system, rather than challenging it, suggesting she is both a powerful individual and, in some ways, a product of the very world she seeks to dominate.

Could Horace Giddens have acted differently to prevent his tragic end, or was his fate sealed by Regina's ambition?

Horace's tragic end seems largely sealed by Regina's ambition and his own moral integrity. His refusal to give Regina his bonds, driven by his disgust, directly provoked her final, fatal inaction. While he could have perhaps left earlier or been more forceful in his protective measures for Alexandra, his commitment to his principles ultimately made him vulnerable to Regina's ruthlessness.

Does Alexandra Giddens truly escape the influence of her family, or is her future ambiguous?

Alexandra's escape is presented as a hopeful break from the Hubbard legacy, as she rejects her mother's values and chooses to leave. However, the play leaves her future somewhat ambiguous. While she possesses moral strength, the deep-seated corruption she witnessed and the potential for her own latent Hubbard traits mean her path to a truly different life will likely be challenging and require sustained effort.

Is there any character in 'The Little Foxes' who could be considered purely good or morally unblemished?

It is difficult to identify a character who is purely good. While Alexandra and Horace possess strong moral compasses, Horace is also complicit in the past by allowing Regina to run his affairs, and Alexandra is still young and untested. Birdie is a victim, but her passivity contributes to her suffering. The play largely presents a world where even the 'good' characters are touched by compromise or weakness.

What is the play's ultimate message about the pursuit of wealth and the American Dream?

The play delivers a scathing critique of unchecked capitalism and the perversion of the American Dream. It suggests that when the pursuit of wealth becomes an absolute, it can corrupt individuals, destroy families, and erode all moral boundaries. The Hubbards exemplify a predatory version of the American Dream, where success is achieved through exploitation and ruthlessness, leaving a trail of human suffering.

How does Ben Hubbard maintain his power and influence within the family?

Ben Hubbard maintains his power through shrewd manipulation, a calm demeanor that belies his ruthlessness, and a superior understanding of financial dealings. He strategically plays his siblings against each other, always positioning himself to benefit from their squabbles. His ability to anticipate and outwit Oscar and Regina consistently places him in a position of ultimate control over their joint ventures.

What historical context might be relevant to understanding the Hubbards' ambition?

The play is set in the American South around 1900, a period of significant industrial expansion and the rise of new capitalist ventures. This context highlights the allure of quick wealth and the shift from older agrarian economies to industrial power, providing a backdrop for the Hubbards' relentless drive to acquire a cotton mill and consolidate their financial empire.

Discuss the significance of the bonds in the plot.

The bonds are crucial to the plot as they represent Horace's share of the investment needed for the cotton mill. His refusal to hand them over to Regina directly triggers her desperate scheme to steal them and later, her inaction during his heart attack. They serve as the central MacGuffin, driving the conflict and revealing the true depths of the characters' greed and amorality.

How does the play use the setting of the 'charming home in the South' to enhance its themes?

The 'charming home' serves as a stark contrast to the ugliness and corruption within. Its seemingly idyllic Southern setting, often associated with hospitality and tradition, is subverted to expose the predatory nature lurking beneath a veneer of gentility. This juxtaposition highlights the hypocrisy and moral decay that can exist even in seemingly respectable environments, enhancing the play's critique of wealth and power.

What does the servant characters' perspective add to the narrative?

The servants, Addie and Cal, provide an outside, often morally grounded, perspective on the Hubbards' actions. They witness the family's cruelty firsthand and often voice quiet condemnation or concern, particularly for Horace and Alexandra. Their presence underscores the Hubbards' moral isolation and highlights the stark class divide, showing who truly suffers from the family's avarice.

The Little Foxes Summary by Lillian Hellman | BookBrief

Name: The Little Foxes
Availability: InStock
Rating: 3.96 (4815 reviews)
ISBN: 9780856760914

In their Southern estate, the Hubbard family's greed and betrayals lead to a ruthless fight for wealth, where only Regina truly wins.

Synopsis

In 1900, the wealthy Hubbard family in a small Southern town schemes for more money. Siblings Ben and Oscar, with their sister Regina Giddens, are making a business deal with a Chicago industrialist, Mr. Marshall, to build a cotton mill. Regina's estranged husband, Horace, who controls much of the money needed, is very sick and does not want to invest, having seen his wife's cruelty. Regina, needing her share of the deal, sends her daughter, Alexandra, to bring Horace home from Johns Hopkins. When he returns, Horace refuses to fund the mill, knowing it will only feed the Hubbards' greed. Oscar's son, Leo, a bank teller, overhears Horace talking about his bonds and, encouraged by Oscar and Ben, steals them. Horace finds out about the theft and threatens to expose them, but then has a heart attack. Regina, seeing her chance, purposefully withholds his medicine, causing his death. With Horace dead, Regina blackmails Ben and Oscar, threatening to reveal their theft unless they give her a larger share of the mill. Alexandra, seeing her mother's terrible actions and the family's corruption, finally stands up to Regina, refusing to stay with her and claiming her independence. Regina is left with her ill-gotten gains but is alone, having pushed away the last person who cared for her.

Reading time

120 min

Difficulty

Medium

Pacing

Moderate

Mood

Dark, Suspenseful, Melodramatic, Cynical

✓ Read this if...

You enjoy intense family dramas, Southern Gothic themes, and sharp dialogue in a play format.

✗ Skip this if...

You prefer fast-paced action, clear-cut heroes, or lighthearted stories.

Plot Summary

A Family Gathering

The play starts in the Hubbard family's rich Alabama home in 1900. Regina Giddens, a sharp, ambitious woman, hosts her brothers, Ben and Oscar Hubbard, and Oscar's wife, Birdie. They discuss a profitable investment: a new cotton mill that will use cheap Black labor and local resources. Ben and Oscar have their shares, but Regina needs her husband, Horace Giddens, to provide her part of the money. Horace is very sick with a heart condition and is away for treatment. The brothers are impatient and hint they will cut Regina out if she does not get the money quickly, showing the family's ruthless nature.

Horace's Return and Regina's Plea

Horace Giddens returns home from Baltimore, which initially relieves Regina, as his presence is necessary for her financial plans. He is weak and frail, needing constant care from his daughter, Alexandra, and his Black servants, Addie and Cal. Regina immediately pressures him about investing in the cotton mill project with her brothers. Horace, however, has strong moral objections to the Hubbard family's exploitative business practices and their treatment of local workers, especially the Black community. He is tired of their greed and refuses to fund a venture he sees as wrong, increasing Regina's frustration and the tension between them.

The Proposal for Alexandra

Annoyed by Horace's refusal, Oscar and Ben plan to get Horace's money through his daughter, Alexandra. Oscar suggests that his weak-willed son, Leo, marry Alexandra. This would combine their fortunes and give the Hubbards control over Horace's wealth when he dies. Oscar believes Alexandra's inheritance, especially Horace's railroad bonds, would cover Regina's share of the mill investment. Birdie, Oscar's wife, is horrified by this manipulative plan, knowing her son and husband's true nature, but she cannot effectively object.

Leo's Theft and Discovery

Oscar, desperate to finish the mill deal, tricks his son, Leo, into stealing Horace's railroad bonds from Horace's safe deposit box at the bank where Leo works. Leo, wanting to please his father and escape his dull life, agrees, thinking he is just 'borrowing' the bonds. Horace, however, having grown suspicious of the Hubbards' intentions and noticing a change in Leo, checks his box. He quickly finds the theft and confronts Regina, knowing immediately who is responsible. This discovery starts a dangerous game, as Horace now has significant power over his scheming in-laws.

Horace's Counter-Plan

Horace, now very sick and in his wheelchair, confronts Regina, Ben, and Oscar with his knowledge of Leo's theft of the bonds. He says he plans to tell everyone that he *gave* the bonds to Leo as a loan, effectively framing them as thieves if they proceed with the mill deal using the stolen money. This would ruin their reputations and possibly send Leo to jail. Horace's unexpected cleverness and determination shock the Hubbards, especially Regina, who realizes her brothers have risked her share of the mill and her future money. The power dynamic changes greatly.

Regina's Desperate Act

In a key and chilling scene, Horace has a severe heart attack while alone with Regina. He struggles to reach his medicine, but Regina, seeing a chance to regain control and secure her inheritance, coldly watches him collapse. She does nothing to help him or get his medication, letting him die. Alexandra, Addie, and Cal find Horace's body shortly after. Regina's calculated inaction shows her ruthless ambition and her willingness to allow murder to reach her financial goals and escape her brothers' control.

The Aftermath and Accusations

After Horace's death, the family pretends to mourn. Regina fakes sadness, while Ben and Oscar mostly worry about how Horace's death will affect their mill deal and the stolen bonds. Alexandra, however, is deeply affected and increasingly suspicious of her mother's behavior and the situation around her father's death. She remembers her father's earlier warnings about her mother and the Hubbards' greed. Addie, the family's Black servant, also has strong suspicions, having seen Regina's coldness and the family's manipulative ways for years, silently recognizing the truth.

Regina's Blackmail

With Horace dead, Regina tells Ben and Oscar that she knows about the stolen bonds. She threatens to expose Leo as a thief and ruin their reputations if they do not give her a 75% share of the new mill, instead of the 33% they first agreed on. She blackmails them, using their guilt and fear of scandal. Ben, seeing Regina's ruthlessness and realizing she has outsmarted them, reluctantly agrees to her terms. Oscar is angry but powerless, as Regina now controls everything, securing her position as the most powerful person in the Hubbard family.

Alexandra's Rebellion

Alexandra, having overheard parts of Regina's blackmail plan and understood the truth about her father's death and the family's corruption, confronts her mother. She condemns Regina's cruelty and the Hubbards' greed, stating her intent to leave the house and make her own way, free from their influence. This is a moment of freedom for Alexandra, who refuses to be another victim of her family's manipulative world. Regina, for the first time, is truly shocked and isolated by her daughter's defiance, realizing the real cost of her ambition.

The Empty Victory

The play ends with Regina, having won her financial schemes, sitting alone in her grand, empty house. She has secured her fortune and outsmarted her brothers, but at the cost of her daughter's love and her husband's life. The Black servants, Addie and Cal, also plan to leave, unable to stay in the oppressive atmosphere. Regina's victory is empty, leaving her isolated and friendless amidst her ill-gotten gains, a clear example of the play's criticism of uncontrolled capitalist greed and its damaging effect on human relationships.

Principal Figures

Regina Giddens

The Protagonist/Antagonist

Regina moves from being a woman seeking her share of wealth to a solitary, powerful figure who has destroyed her family for financial gain.

Horace Giddens

The Supporting

Horace returns home weakened, but finds the strength to expose the Hubbards' treachery before succumbing to his illness, influencing Alexandra's future.

Alexandra Giddens

The Supporting

Alexandra transforms from an innocent, obedient daughter into an independent woman who rejects her family's corrupt legacy.

Ben Hubbard

The Supporting

Ben maintains his power and cunning, but is ultimately outmaneuvered by Regina, acknowledging her superior ruthlessness.

Oscar Hubbard

The Supporting

Oscar remains a cruel and ineffective figure, perpetually overshadowed and manipulated by his siblings.

Birdie Hubbard

The Supporting

Birdie remains trapped and suffering, her gentle nature unable to withstand the Hubbards' cruelty, yet she offers moments of clarity and compassion.

Leo Hubbard

The Supporting

Leo remains a weak and manipulated figure, never truly developing agency or moral conviction.

Addie

The Supporting

Addie remains a steadfast moral compass, ultimately choosing to leave the corrupt household, reflecting her unwavering integrity.

Themes & Insights

The Corrupting Power of Greed

The main idea of 'The Little Foxes' is the destructive power of uncontrolled greed and materialism. The entire Hubbard family, especially Regina, Ben, and Oscar, are consumed by a constant desire for wealth and power. This greed shows in their willingness to exploit others (the cotton mill plan), lie, steal (Leo's theft of the bonds), and even commit murder by inaction (Regina letting Horace die). The play clearly shows how the pursuit of money destroys human relationships, morality, and ultimately leaves the 'winners' isolated and empty, as seen in Regina's final, lonely triumph.

“There are people who eat the earth and eat all the things that grow on it. Then there are people who stand around and watch them eat it.”

The Decline of Southern Aristocracy vs. Industrial Capitalism

The play contrasts the fading elegance of the Old South, shown by Birdie Hubbard and, to some extent, Horace's moral stand, with the rise of brutal industrial capitalism shown by the Hubbards. Birdie laments the loss of her family's beautiful plantation and its values, while the Hubbards eagerly embrace exploitative factory labor and ruthless business practices. This idea highlights a societal shift where traditional Southern charm and honor are being replaced by a more ruthless, modern way of getting rich, with terrible effects for those caught in the change, like Birdie, and those who resist it, like Horace.

“I remember my mama's bougainvillea. It grew so fast, so beautiful. Now... now it's all gone. Just a memory.”

Gender and Power in the Early 20th Century South

Lillian Hellman explores the limited ways women could gain power in the early 20th century South, particularly through Regina Giddens. Denied direct involvement in business, Regina uses her intelligence and ambition for manipulation and control within her home. She must work through men (her brothers and husband) to reach her financial goals. Her extreme actions can be seen, in part, as a response to societal limits that force her to fight fiercely for power in a male-dominated world. Alexandra's eventual rebellion, however, suggests a new hope for women to find power through independence and moral honesty, rather than through cutthroat manipulation.

“I should have been a man.”

Moral Integrity vs. Corruption

This idea is clear in the contrast between Horace and Alexandra on one side, and the Hubbard siblings on the other. Horace, despite his physical weakness, keeps a strong moral sense, condemning the Hubbards' exploitation and ultimately refusing to join their schemes. His honesty, though it costs him his life, inspires Alexandra to reject her family's corruption. Alexandra's journey is one of realizing her family's depravity and choosing a path of honesty and independence. The play suggests that while corruption may lead to material wealth, moral honesty, even in defeat, offers true freedom and dignity.

“Well, there are people who can eat the earth and eat all the things that grow on it. Then there are people who stand around and watch them eat it. And then there are people who themselves eat the earth and all the things that grow on it, but who do not know that they are eating it.”

Plot Devices & Literary Techniques

The Missing Bonds

A MacGuffin that drives the central conflict and exposes character.

Horace's railroad bonds serve as a crucial MacGuffin, a plot device that is vital to the characters' motivations and the unfolding of the story, but whose specific nature is less important than its function. The theft of these bonds by Leo, at Oscar's instigation, directly leads to Horace's counter-plan, Regina's desperate act, and her subsequent blackmail of her brothers. The bonds are not just money; they are a symbol of power and control, revealing the Hubbards' greed and their willingness to commit illegal acts, while also providing Horace with the leverage to temporarily challenge them.

Horace's Illness

A ticking clock and a catalyst for Regina's most heinous act.

Horace Giddens' severe heart condition functions as a ticking clock throughout the play, creating urgency for Regina to secure his investment before his potential death. More significantly, it becomes the catalyst for Regina's most chilling act: her deliberate inaction during his fatal heart attack. His illness not only provides a motive for the Hubbards' attempts to control his money but also tests Regina's moral limits, revealing her ultimate ruthlessness. It also makes his eventual death plausible within the narrative, creating a dramatic turning point.

The Cotton Mill Investment

The central object of desire that fuels the family's avarice and conflict.

The proposed cotton mill investment is the primary driver of the plot, serving as the ultimate prize the Hubbard siblings are willing to betray, steal, and even kill for. It represents the promise of immense wealth and power, embodying the new industrial capitalism that is replacing older Southern ways. The negotiations and schemes surrounding this investment expose the true nature of each character – Ben's strategic cunning, Oscar's crude ambition, and Regina's insatiable desire for dominance. It is the tangible manifestation of their collective greed.

The Hubbard Home

A symbolic setting that reflects the family's decaying morality.

The Hubbard family home, described as lavish but ultimately oppressive, functions as a symbolic setting. It is the arena where the family's battles for wealth and power unfold, a gilded cage for Birdie and Alexandra, and a stage for Regina's manipulations. Despite its outward grandeur, the house is filled with tension, betrayal, and cruelty, mirroring the decaying morality of its inhabitants. By the end, when Regina is left alone in her 'victory,' the house becomes a symbol of her hollow triumph and isolation, a monument to her ill-gotten gains and the destruction she has wrought.

Critical analysis

Notable Quotes

“There are people who eat the earth and eat all the things that grow on it. Then there are all the other people who stand around and watch them eat.”

— Birdie's observation about the Hubbard family's ruthless nature.

“I'm not afraid of you, Regina. I've never been afraid of you. You're just a mean, ambitious woman.”

— Alexandra finally standing up to her mother, Regina.

“Some people like to do something. They like to build something, or make something. I like to watch.”

— Benjamin Hubbard reflecting on his passive, yet calculating, nature.

“There's something I want to tell you, Horace. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it for myself, for Alexandra, for all the people you and your kind have walked over.”

— Regina's declaration to Horace as she asserts her dominance.

“I was always a little scared of you, Regina. You always seemed to know what you wanted and how to get it.”

— Birdie expressing her long-held fear of Regina.

“The world is full of people who take and people who let themselves be taken.”

— A general statement about human nature that permeates the play.

“Money is a terrible thing to have to be without.”

— Oscar Hubbard's view on the necessity and power of wealth.

“It's not enough to be good. You have to be smart, too.”

— A pragmatic piece of advice about survival in a harsh world.

“I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive you for what you've done.”

— Alexandra's strong condemnation of her mother's actions.

“We are all of us, in some way, trying to escape from ourselves.”

— A philosophical musing on the human condition.

“I've never been happy. Not for one day of my life.”

— Birdie reflecting on her sad and unfulfilled life.

“You'll never know what it is to be hungry, to be cold, to be afraid.”

— Gideon Hubbard to his children, emphasizing their privileged upbringing.

“I'm tired of watching. I'm going away.”

— Alexandra's final decision to leave the corrupt family home.

“There are some people who can't be helped. You just have to let them go.”

— A pragmatic, albeit harsh, view on dealing with certain individuals.

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Key Questions (FAQ)

The central conflict revolves around the Hubbard siblings—Ben, Oscar, and Regina—scheming to secure a larger share of a lucrative cotton mill investment. Their greed and ruthless ambition pit them against each other, particularly Regina, who feels consistently sidelined and undervalued by her brothers in their financial dealings.

About the author

Lillian Hellman

Biography coming soon.

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Synopsis

Plot Summary

A Family Gathering

Horace's Return and Regina's Plea

The Proposal for Alexandra

Leo's Theft and Discovery

Horace's Counter-Plan

Regina's Desperate Act

The Aftermath and Accusations

Regina's Blackmail

Alexandra's Rebellion

The Empty Victory

Principal Figures

Regina Giddens

Horace Giddens

Alexandra Giddens

Ben Hubbard

Oscar Hubbard

Birdie Hubbard

Leo Hubbard

Addie

Themes & Insights

The Corrupting Power of Greed

The Decline of Southern Aristocracy vs. Industrial Capitalism

Gender and Power in the Early 20th Century South

Moral Integrity vs. Corruption

Plot Devices & Literary Techniques

The Missing Bonds

Horace's Illness

The Cotton Mill Investment

The Hubbard Home

Critical analysis

In-depth analysis

Strengths

Areas for improvement

Notable Quotes

Quiz

Test Your Knowledge

Key Questions (FAQ)

What is the core conflict driving the plot of 'The Little Foxes'?

Who is Regina Giddens and what is her primary goal?

How does Horace Giddens fit into the family's schemes?

What role does Alexandra Giddens play in the story?

What is the significance of the 'foxes' in the play's title?

What is the implied fate of Birdie Hubbard after the play concludes?

Are there any subtle hints about the true nature of the Hubbard family's wealth beyond the mill investment?

How does Regina's past influence her current motivations and ruthless behavior?

Analyze the psychological dynamic between Oscar Hubbard and his son Leo.

What psychological impact does the Hubbard family environment have on Birdie?

Is Regina a truly independent woman or merely a product of her patriarchal society, albeit a powerful one?

Could Horace Giddens have acted differently to prevent his tragic end, or was his fate sealed by Regina's ambition?

Does Alexandra Giddens truly escape the influence of her family, or is her future ambiguous?

Is there any character in 'The Little Foxes' who could be considered purely good or morally unblemished?

What is the play's ultimate message about the pursuit of wealth and the American Dream?

How does Ben Hubbard maintain his power and influence within the family?

What historical context might be relevant to understanding the Hubbards' ambition?

Discuss the significance of the bonds in the plot.

How does the play use the setting of the 'charming home in the South' to enhance its themes?

What does the servant characters' perspective add to the narrative?

About the author

Lillian Hellman

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