Heims is a writer and teacher living in Paris. In this essay, he analyzes the structure of Eleemosynary and argues that Blessing is more interested in creating a play that shows how his characters experience events than in developing action and plot.

Having broken contact with her mother in her teens, Artie telephones her a number of years later to tell her, “I'm going to have a baby.” “I'll come and stay with you,” her mother says. “Where do you live now?” Artie replies, “Oh—you don't have to do that.” “I want to,” her mother answers. “What state do you live in? Just tell me that.” Reluctantly, Artie tells her that it is “California.” To which Dorothea responds, “Out there, eh? Well, I'll have to make some arrangements.” But Artie interrupts her. “Mom, don't come. I don't want you to.” “Nonsense,” Dorothea replies. “I'll be there...