莉莉安.何曼[1905-1984]為美國二十世紀重要之女劇作家。對戲劇創作的
執著與對女性,對社會深切的關懷,已經為日後之女劇作家開創了一條新的
道路。[兒童遊戲]是她的成名之作,劇中表現了善善與惡的對立,及其所產
生的衝突,而且也反映了女性在社會中所面臨的難題. 此劇的諷刺含意及
主題。該劇劇名與美國詩人亨利.朗費羅 [Henry W.
Longfellow,1807-1882]的一首詩名相同,藉著兩者情境之比較及其天壤之
別,呈現出該劇之諷刺含意;而 何曼藉著角色性格的刻劃及個人與社會的
衝突來表現該劇之主題:善與惡的對立。後討論翻譯時所遭遇的問題及其
解決之道和心得。

Lillian Hellman[1905-1984]is one of the most important women
playwrights of American drama in the twentieth century. Her
courage and determination in playwriting and deep concern in
social issues have made her notable "signal flames" for other
women playwrights who follow her path. The Children's Hour is
Hellman's first step into the theater, and also her first
success, which reflects her complex response to sexial ideology
at her time. This thesis aims to provide a Chinese translation
of this play and help Chinese audience appreciate Hellman's
dramatic talent.