Act 1 Summary

Play With a Tiger is Doris Lessing's play about the dynamics of human relationships and the expectations and challenges faced by women who choose less conventional roles than those inherent in marriage. The story takes place in 1958 at the London home of Mary Jackson, who rents a few rooms to Anna Freeman, a tenant of many years. Anna has a son who is away at school, but she retains his room for him in the house.

The play begins at nine o'clock in the evening, and Anna is in her room with a man named Tom Lattimer to whom Anna was engaged until very recently. Tom implores Anna to explain why she no longer wants to marry him. Anna is a freelance writer and works on different projects to make her living, and Tom thinks that a secure future with someone such as...