Realism and Beyond

1. Realism and Beyond Genres and Movements in 20th Century American Drama

2. Genres and Movements1900-1965 (an overview) • Realism • Poetic Realism • Expressionism • Social Realism • Theatre of the Absurd • Surrealism (antirealism)

3. Realism • Reacts against the well-made play of the 19th century.

4. Realism • Reacts against the well-made play of the 19th century. • Gives the illusion that the audience is “looking in” on the action, as if we’ve just happened upon this scene.

5. Realism • Reacts against the well-made play of the 19th century. • Gives the illusion that the audience is “looking in” on the action, as if we’ve just happened upon this scene. • Often focuses on the commonplace, the ordinary.

7. Realism • Reacts against the well-made play of the 19th century. • Gives the illusion that the audience is “looking in” on the action, as if we’ve just happened upon this scene. • Often focuses on the commonplace, the ordinary. • Leaves loose ends that can be interpreted multiple ways.

8. Realism • Reacts against the well-made play of the 19th century. • Gives the illusion that the audience is “looking in” on the action, as if we’ve just happened upon this scene. • Often focuses on the commonplace, the ordinary. • Leaves loose ends that can be interpreted multiple ways. • Is preoccupied with verisimilitude.

10. Poetic Realism • Blends characteristics of realism with a heightened sense of aestheticism

11. Poetic Realism • Blends characteristics of realism with a heightened sense of aestheticism • Draws attention to the representational aspects of the set and atmosphere.

13. Poetic Realism • Blends characteristics of realism with a heightened sense of aestheticism • Draws attention to the representational aspects of the set and atmosphere. • Characters often have their “last chance at love,” but are disappointed

14. scene from the Murfreesboro Metropolitan Theatre’s Glass Menagerie

15. Poetic Realism • Blends characteristics of realism with a heightened sense of aestheticism • Draws attention to the representational aspects of the set and atmosphere. • Characters often have their “last chance at love,” but are disappointed • Has some of the trademarks of expressionism, but does not distort reality in quite the same way.

16. Expressionism • Seeks to represent an emotional or psychological truth by distorting reality.

17. Expressionism • Seeks to represent an emotional or psychological truth by distorting reality. • Speech is either heightened or clipped

18. Expressionism • Seeks to represent an emotional or psychological truth by distorting reality. • Speech is either heightened or clipped • Characters are often “types” rather than fully developed

20. Expressionism • Seeks to represent an emotional or psychological truth by distorting reality. • Speech is either heightened or clipped • Characters are often “types” rather than fully developed • Dramatizes the spiritual awakenings and/or sufferings of the protagonist

21. Expressionism • Seeks to represent an emotional or psychological truth by distorting reality. • Speech is either heightened or clipped • Characters are often “types” rather than fully developed • Dramatizes the spiritual awakenings and/or sufferings of the protagonist • Often dramatizes the struggle against middle-class values and established authority/institutions

23. Social Realism • A subset of realism that is sometimes called “kitchen-sink” drama

24. Social Realism • A subset of realism that focuses on realistic, often domestic situations

25. Social Realism • A subset of realism that focuses on realistic often domestic situations, sometimes giving it the term “kitchen-sink drama” • Politically aware; overtly presses for change.

27. Theatre of the Absurd(1950s-1960s) • Emerges from the philosophy of existentialism

28. Theatre of the Absurd(1950s-1960s) • Emerges from the philosophy of existentialism • Expresses the idea that the human situation is devoid of purpose, and therefore futile and absurd

30. Theatre of the Absurd(1950s-1960s) • Emerges from the philosophy of existentialism • Expresses the idea that the human situation is devoid of purpose, and therefore futile and absurd • Little plot or logical structure

31. Theatre of the Absurd(1950s-1960s) • Emerges from the philosophy of existentialism • Expresses the idea that the human situation is devoid of purpose, and therefore futile and absurd • Little plot or logical structure • However frantic the action, it often comes to nothing.

33. Surrealism • Sometimes referred to as antirealism

34. Surrealism • Sometimes referred to as antirealism • Resembles expressionism, but draws its material from the subconscious (dreams, repressed memories, etc.)

36. Expressionism vs. Surrealism

37. Surrealism • Sometimes referred to as antirealism • Resembles expressionism, but draws its material from the subconscious (dreams, repressed memories, etc.) • Highly theatrical and highly poetic

39. Surrealism • Sometimes referred to as antirealism • Resembles expressionism, but draws its material from the subconscious (dreams, repressed memories, etc.) • Highly theatrical and highly poetic • Plots are often non-linear or even circular

41. Genres and Movements1900-1965 (a recap) • Realism • Poetic Realism • Expressionism • Social Realism • Theatre of the Absurd • Surrealism (antirealism)