The play is based on the Greek tragedy, Antigone by Sophocles, which is a classic tale of how unbending hubris destroys all who fall prey to its spell.
Judy Miller, a gifted Jewish college senior, presents a short play to her Greek Theater professor, Henry Harper.
Judy submits an updated, anti-nuclear version of Antigone in place of the formal paper that Harper has assigned to her.
Judy also lodges a complaint with the university grievance committee, which elicits a visit from the dean not only to plead with Harper to soften his stand, but also to warn him that accusations of anti-Semitism (however unfounded) have arisen.
The play ends with the Professor, like Creon of Sophocles' Antigone, cast out from his home and left to wander, while Judy's fate is unknown, except that her life's dreams and goals have been so challenged that its anyones guess if the "old" Judy even exists anymore.