Act 1, Scene 1

Beyond the Horizon begins on a country road that runs through the bustling Mayo family farm, where the entire play takes place. Robert, a delicate, poetic young man, sits on a fence by the road, reading a book. His hardy older brother, Andrew, whom most people call Andy, comes in from working in the fields and stops to talk to Robert, who is leaving the next morning to go away on a sea voyage for three years with their uncle. Andy says that everybody will miss him, including Andy, who, as a farmer, does not understand Robert's dream to see the world.

It is obvious from the behavior of the two brothers that they are both in love with Ruth Atkins, who is coming to Robert's farewell dinner with her mother. Andy leaves to wash up before dinner, and Ruth stops by to talk to Robert...