View the film Julia, which depicts Hellman's relationship with Dashiell Hammett. Do you see any parallels between Ephron's Hellman and Hellman as she is depicted in the film?

Read Ephron's Scribble, Scribble and apply what she says about writing in the book to this play.

Do a biographical study of either Hellman or McCarthy and determine whether Ephron's depiction of the two women is realistic.

Research the terms Trotskyite and Stalinist and determine whether the play suggests that the women were true followers of these movements. Check out biographical details to see if they support Ephron's characterizations of the women in this regard.