Mourning Becomes Electra - Homecoming, Acts 1 and 2 Summary

Act 1 - Seth and the townspeople (see "Characters") discuss General Ezra Mannon's long absence while fighting in the Civil War, and how the face of his beautiful wife Christine, like the faces of all the Mannons, is like a mask, strangely immobile. Finally, their conversation refers to secrets in the Mannon family's past. Lavinia, whose face is (according to stage directions) as mask-like as her mother's, comes out to speak with Seth. After the townspeople leave, Seth catches Lavinia in a lie about where she's been, manipulating her into confessing that she's been in New York. Lavinia's friends Peter and Hazel arrive, causing Seth to leave. Lavinia, Hazel and Peter discuss the long absence of Lavinia's brother Orin, with conversation hinting that both Orin and Ezra will soon be home, now...