Theatre of Eugene O'Neill: American Modernism on the World Stage

The Theatre of Eugene O Neill provides a comprehensive overview of O Neill's career and plays, exploring his modernist intervention, detailed analysis, and recent resurgence. It includes a study of all his major plays and explores his theatrical modernism, offering a reinvention of American stage traditions in the context of international stage modernism.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 256 pages
\n Publication date: 30 May 2019
\n Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
\n

The Theatre of Eugene O'Neill presents a comprehensive exploration of the renowned playwright's career and plays within the context of American theater. Organized thematically, this scholarly work delves into O'Neill's modernist intervention, offering in-depth analyses of his plays while also assessing the recent resurgence in his reputation and innovative approaches to staging his works. Spanning a wide range of full-length and one-act dramas, the book includes a thorough study of his major plays such as The Emperor Jones, The Hairy Ape, The Iceman Cometh, Long Days Journey Into Night, A Moon for the Misbegotten, and Desire Under the Elms.

Eugene O'Neill is widely recognized as the pioneer of modern American drama, flourishing in a period of cultural upheaval and vibrant artistic and intellectual development. However, it is important to note that his theatrical instincts were deeply influenced by the rich traditions of American stagecraft, which were inseparable from his sense of self and his national culture. This insightful study reveals that O'Neill's theatrical modernism represents a reinvention rather than a departure from these traditions, offering a fresh perspective on national culture and character within the framework of international stage modernism.

Kurt Eisen meticulously traces O'Neill's modernism throughout his entire body of work, examining his attempts to break free from the traditional melodramatic theater's themes, plots, and moral conventions. He explores O'Neill's experiments in stagecraft and theme, their connections to traditional theater, and his interactions with European modernist contemporaries. The author also delves into O'Neill's turn toward direct and indirect self-representation, as well as his critical scrutiny of the family, American pipe dreams, and the allure of success.

In addition to the comprehensive analysis, the volume features four insightful contributory essays that further enhance our understanding of O'Neill's theatrical legacy. These essays by renowned scholars and critics provide valuable perspectives and insights into various aspects of his plays and their historical significance.

Overall, The Theatre of Eugene O'Neill is a indispensable resource for scholars, students, and theater enthusiasts alike. It offers a comprehensive and insightful examination of O'Neill's life and work, shedding light on his contributions to American theater and his enduring impact on the world of drama. Through its thematic organization and detailed analysis, this book provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing study and appreciation of O'Neill's legacy.

\n Weight: 324g\n
Dimension: 210 x 130 x 14 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781350112490\n \n