Act 1 Summary

Mule Bone is a three-act play by Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston about the lives of Negroes in rural Florida in the 1930's. The play, which was written as a comedy, addresses the issues of love, romance and loyalty in an attempt to introduce Negro life to a broad audience.

As the play opens, many local men are gathered on the steps of Joe Clarke's general store on a Saturday afternoon, which is their ritual activity. Joe, who is the town's founder, also serves as Mayor. Sitting with Joe on this afternoon are Deacon Hambo, Deacon Goodwin, an old man named Matt Brazzle, Will Cody, Sykes Jones, Lum Boger, the town's marshal, Lige Mosely, Walter Thomas and Tony Taylor.

There are also many children playing in the area, as their mothers shop in the store. As the men talk and chew on...