Brent has a Ph.D. in American culture, special-i~ing in film studies, from the University of Michigan, She is a freelance writer and teaches courses in the history of American cinema. In the following essay. Brent discusses the historical and cultural context of Patrick r.v play.

John Patrick's stage play Teahouse of the August Moon, first performed in 1953, takes place on the island of Okinawa, during the American Occupation of Japan in the aftermath of World War II. Although a fictional story presented in the form of lighthearted comedy, it is set in a very real cultural and historical context that had serious implications for the post-War era. The play thus makes reference to many real events and cultural traditions with varying degrees of accuracy. It is helpful in understanding the play to distinguish between the elements of fact and those of fiction as presented...