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Realism and Beyond Genres and Movements in 20th Century American Drama Genres and Movements 1900-1965 (an overview) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Realism Poetic Realism Expressionism Social Realism Theatre of the Absurd Surrealism (antirealism) Realism • Reacts against the well-made play of the 19th century. 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. 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. 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. 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. Poetic Realism • Blends characteristics of realism with a heightened sense of aestheticism Poetic Realism • Blends characteristics of realism with a heightened sense of aestheticism • Draws attention to the representational aspects of the set and atmosphere. 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 scene from the Murfreesboro Metropolitan Theatre’s Glass Menagerie 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. Expressionism • Seeks to represent an emotional or psychological truth by distorting reality. Expressionism • Seeks to represent an emotional or psychological truth by distorting reality. • Speech is either heightened or clipped 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 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 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 Social Realism • A subset of realism that is sometimes called “kitchen-sink” drama Social Realism • A subset of realism that focuses on realistic, often domestic situations 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. Theatre of the Absurd (1950s-1960s) • Emerges from the philosophy of existentialism 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 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 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. Surrealism • Sometimes referred to as antirealism Surrealism • Sometimes referred to as antirealism • Resembles expressionism, but draws its material from the subconscious (dreams, repressed memories, etc.) Expressionism vs. Surrealism Surrealism • Sometimes referred to as antirealism • Resembles expressionism, but draws its material from the subconscious (dreams, repressed memories, etc.) • Highly theatrical and highly poetic 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 Genres and Movements 1900-1965 (a recap) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Realism Poetic Realism Expressionism Social Realism Theatre of the Absurd Surrealism (antirealism)
