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

2. Genres and Movements 1900-1965 (an overview) 1.Realism 2.Poetic Realism 3.Expressionism 4.Social Realism 5.Theatre of the Absurd 6.Surrealism (antirealism)

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

4. Realism Reacts against the well-made play of the 19 th 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 19 th 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 19 th 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 19 th 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 Movements 1900-1965 (a recap) 1.Realism 2.Poetic Realism 3.Expressionism 4.Social Realism 5.Theatre of the Absurd 6.Surrealism (antirealism)