In the 1930s, the Lindberghs were notoriously pro-fascist with much time spent in Europe. In 1940, after the start of the horrors of WW2 and the German attacks on its neighbors, Anne Morrow Lindbergh wrote a best selling 41 page booklet, THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE, on the success and growth of Fascism.
Here is a short passage from her Wikipedia page.
- In 1940, Anne published a 41-page booklet, The Wave of the Future: A Confession of Faith, which "swiftly became the No. 1 nonfiction bestseller in the country."[24]
- Writing in support of her husband's lobbying efforts for a U.S.-German peace treaty similar to Hitler's Non-Aggression Treaty with Joseph Stalin,[25] Anne argued that the rise of fascism and communism in Germany, Italy, and Russia were manifestations of an inevitable historical "wave of the future",[26] though "the evils we deplore in these systems are not in themselves the future; they are scum on the wave of the future."[27]
- She compared these movements to the French Revolution for their deplorable violence, but also for their "fundamental necessity". She therefore urged the futility of any ideological war against them.[27]
- Her writing echoed authors such as Lawrence Dennis and presaged that of James Burnham.[28]
- The Roosevelt administration subsequently attacked The Wave of the Future as, in an April 1941 speech by Interior Secretary Harold Ickes, "the bible of every American Nazi, Fascist, Bundist and Appeaser," and the booklet became one of the most despised writings of the period.[29][30][31]
- Anne had also written in a letter that Hitler was "a very great man, like an inspired religious leader—and as such rather fanatical—but not scheming, not selfish, not greedy for power".[30]
For ChatGPT
Write the outline for a play about the publication and reception of THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE and its controversial role. One idea might be in the Lindbergh's home, visited by two guests on a Sunday afternoon, one who agrees and praises THE WAVE and one who is appalled. The Lindberghs are cast into a position torn between beligerance (pro book) and self-doubt (are we way wrong?)
ChatGPT
Title: Echoes of the Future
Setting: The living room of the Lindberghs' home in the early 1940s. The room is tastefully decorated with a mix of comfort and sophistication, showcasing items from their travels. Large windows look out onto a serene landscape, contrasting the storm of controversy brewing around the family.
Characters:
Anne Morrow Lindbergh - The author, caught between her intellectual convictions and the public outcry.
Charles Lindbergh - Her husband, supportive of her work but also grappling with the implications of their shared views.
David Reynolds - A family friend and fervent supporter of "The Wave of the Future."
Eleanor Shaw - A critical old acquaintance who strongly opposes the book's views.
Journalist (Voice only) - Represents the media and public opinion, heard only as a voiceover during scene transitions.
Outline:
Act 1: Setting the Stage
Scene 1: Charles and Anne discuss the immediate success and controversy of "The Wave of the Future." They express mixed feelings about the reception and share their personal doubts and reaffirmations about the book's message.
Scene 2: Arrival of David Reynolds, who enthusiastically praises the book, highlighting its foresight and necessity in current times. His praise brings temporary relief to Anne but increases Charles's apprehension.
Act 2: Confrontation and Conflict
Scene 3: Eleanor Shaw arrives unexpectedly, creating tension. She confronts Anne about the book's implications, criticizing its defeatist tone and perceived sympathy towards totalitarian regimes. Anne defends her intentions but shows signs of doubt.
Scene 4: A heated debate ensues among the four characters, with Charles and David defending the book against Eleanor's accusations. The argument touches on themes of freedom, the role of America in the world, and the moral responsibilities of public figures.
Act 3: Self-Reflection and Public Reckoning
Scene 5: In the aftermath of the argument, Charles and Anne reflect on their positions. Anne expresses deeper doubts, prompted by Eleanor's words. Charles remains conflicted but supportive.
Scene 6: A radio broadcast (voiceover) discusses the widespread criticism of the book, mentioning specific denunciations by prominent figures and the broader societal impact. The couple listens, somber and reflective.
Act 4: Resolution and Future Paths
Scene 7: A final discussion between Anne and Charles where they contemplate the consequences of their actions and the future of their public lives. Anne decides to shift her focus away from political writings to more personal and introspective works.
Scene 8: Eleanor and David return briefly; Eleanor offers a reconciliatory gesture, suggesting that while she disagrees, she respects Anne's courage in facing the criticism. David remains supportive but hints at his own doubts.
Epilogue:
A monologue by Anne, addressing the audience directly, sharing her learned lessons about the power of words and the responsibility of writers. She expresses hope for redemption through future works and personal growth.
Themes: Intellectual integrity, public accountability, personal versus public morality, the impact of ideology on relationships, and the evolution of beliefs under public scrutiny.
This play would explore the intense personal and public dynamics that influenced Anne Morrow Lindbergh's life and works during a tumultuous period, highlighting the emotional and ethical struggles faced by those in the public eye.
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From the "Foreign Affairs" journal, July 1941, review.
This is one of the most controversial books to appear in recent years, and one of the most difficult to appraise. In substance, Mrs. Lindbergh's thesis is that the great fact of history, the law of life, is eternal and inexorable change, that we are now in one of the great periods of rapid and profound change, and that it is therefore the better part of wisdom -- for Americans as well as for all other peoples -- to accept this process, whatever it may be, and not to fight against it. The "wave of the future," as it presents itself to Mrs. Lindbergh, is totalitarian, and in her eyes there is no use in our trying, Canute-like, to stem it. The net effect of Mrs. Lindbergh's book, perhaps unintentional, is even more destructive than the mechanistic approach to life expounded by her husband because it furnishes a sort of vade mecum for the defeatists. One of the most disturbing things about this sincere, and in some respects courageous, little volume is its evasion of some of the real issues, particularly the moral ones. It carries the subtitle "A Confession of Faith," but it is precisely faith that the author seems to lack.
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Find (1) an AI summary of the book, (2) an AI review of the book, (3) an Atlantic review of the book, and even (4) an AI translation of the full, 4-act play summary into German, at the link:
[Clip of the German version]
Akt 1: Die Bühne wird bereitet
Szene 1: Charles und Anne diskutieren über den sofortigen Erfolg und die Kontroverse um "The Wave of the Future." Sie äußern gemischte Gefühle über die Rezeption und teilen ihre persönlichen Zweifel und Bestätigungen bezüglich der Botschaft des Buches.
Szene 2: Ankunft von David Reynolds, der das Buch enthusiastisch lobt und seine Weitsicht und Notwendigkeit in der aktuellen Zeit hervorhebt. Sein Lob bringt vorübergehend Erleichterung für Anne, steigert jedoch Charles' Besorgnis....[continues]
