"the last yankee" takes place in a present-day state mental hospital, located somewhere in new england. patricia hamilton is recovering from depression, and this may be the day she feels strong enough to go home. but a visit from her husband leroy, a descendant of one of america's founding fathers (but referred to as a "swamp yankee"), coincides with that of a successful businessman, john frick, who has come to see his newly admitted wife, karen. a clash of values and emotions upsets them all.