Abstract This paper examines how three main groups of kabuki plays, the dance-drama, historical drama, and domestic drama make up the majority of kabuki theater and how they are adapted either from puppet theater, from kyogen dramas, or plays written specifically for kabuki. It looks at how Tokyo's Shochiku Company is one theatrical group that has made an impact on American theater by presenting kabuki in the heart of the U.S., in Texas.
From the Paper "Kabuki has its origin in Japan's Edo period. The form can be traced back to performances by female shrine dancer Okuni in a dry riverbed in 1603. The dances performed by Okuni and her fellow female dancers combined religious dances and folk dance. Okuni's performances became highly popular, and many troupes soon imitated the style. Performances became increasingly risqu? and boisterous, and women were banned from performing in 1629. In 1652, a brawl between two samurai competing for the attentions of a young male actor spurred authorities to ban young men under the age of 14 from appearing in kabuki (Spencer)."
Abstract This paper discusses the emergence of social drama's after WWII and examines Elia Kazan's "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" and "On the Waterfront" as examples of this new trend. The paper discusses how these films addressed problems like poverty, organized crime and racism.
From the Paper "Films of Elia Kazan as Social Dramas
Although a few films at the turn of the 20th century addressed social issues, it wasn't until the 1950s that social dramas, or message films, became it's own genre outright. These films expressed power lessons about the human spirit, or focalized on social issues that directors and writers wanted to shine a light on, (Dirks, Drama Films). No director took this genre farther than Elia Kazan. While there are arguments about his movies, such as A Streetcar Named Desire being produced because it was based off of a play, and therefore "presold," it also brought attention to social issues that became America's focus after WWII, (Kawin: 2008, pg. 220). Message films developed as a popular genre due to his work on movies like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and On the Waterfront. Through these films, with Kazan's excellent direction, audiences of film began to question society and seek social changes."
Tags:American film, Elia Kazan, On the Waterfront, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Abstract Seven page look at two American plays: Tennessee Williams' "Suddenly Last Summer" and Eugene O'Neill's "Desire Under Elms" examples of Realism in Drama.
Abstract The Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) was a period when cultural innovation was occurring at a very high rate in China(Lewis 34). One of the cultural areas that went through a particularly significant period of growth during this period was drama. The question that this essay attempts to answer is why did drama in the Yuan period flourish? It is argued that drama flourished in the Yuan period for four primary reasons. These reasons are; the commercialization of entertainment and the arts during this period, the use of vernacular language, the vulgarity and humor of many of these dramas and the fact that the dramas often used stock stories and characters that were known by a wide range of people.
Abstract This paper examines the history of drama and its steady and sometimes spectacular evolution over time. The paper reviews the contributions of the ancient Greeks to western dramaturgy and then proceeds to look at the innovations of the early moderns. The paper then examines the modern age and considers the peculiar development of what can best be described as non-realistic or some might say nihilistic drama.
From the Paper "The following paper will explore the history and evolution of drama over time while noting the constancy of tragedy, comedy and farce despite the steady parade of changes which have transformed western dramaturgy in fundamental ways. It will begin first by examining the development of "western" drama in the age of the Greeks and it will proceed from there to discuss the innovations of the early modern period (as especially typified by Shakespeare). Not content to end simply with Shakespeare, the paper will look at the modern age and the arrival of non-realistic (some might argue nihilistic) drama and its most fundamental features."
Abstract This paper examines and analyzes Hispanic American theater and drama in the United States today. Prominent theater groups and artists are discussed, and the paper concludes with a discussion of the history and future of Hispanic American Theater.
Abstract In this paper, the writer discusses the aspects of religion and romance that appear in various works of English drama. Among other examples, the writer points out that 'All for Love' presents the complex and dangerous relationship that existed between the Egyptian queen Cleopatra and the Roman leader Antony. The writer also looks at the concept of morals and seduction in the play "The Country Wife" by William Wycherley.
From the Paper ""The Country Wife" by William Wycherley exudes with the idea of the Rake Hero, as a man that is clearly against the highly moral strictness of the day, and seems bent on demoralizing everyone that he meets. Mr. Pinchwife, (the central character in the play) is a Rake Hero in many aspects, as he is constantly trying to stop his wife from behaving morally, but instead, this actually puts ideas into her about seduction, as he is very clever in his cunning. Margery, in essence, ends up cheating on him with another man, and they become fully immersed in immoral behavior in the play."
Abstract This paper describes the war that existed in the Philippines after the Spain's defeat at the hands of the United States during the Spanish-American War. As a direct result of the war, the Philippines were given to the United States and the Filipino people who originally believed that they were fighting a war for freedom and independence against the Spanish begin to turn against American troops who they view as simply another occupying force. The first part of the paper gives a background to the Filipino insurgency and its main leader, General Emilio Aguinaldo. Aguinaldo's tactics of fighting a guerrilla war against American troops is examined, as well as the effectiveness of these attacks on shocking the American public back home. Feeling betrayed by America who promised the Filipino people freedom after the Spanish were defeated, Aguinaldo embarked on a series of deadly attacks on American soldiers in the Philippines. As a result, American troops responded with equal brutality in their reprisals with very little organized military command holding them back. Diaries are heavily cited in this section of the paper, giving primary sources that tell of how desperate the American soldiers were at the time and how they needed to racially dehumanize the enemy in order to commit such vicious acts of reprisal. The second part of the paper deals with how the American press responded to the war. Numerous newspaper articles and other criticisms of the war are given as examples, some written by the early 20th century's most prominent figures such as Mark Twain. The general point of this section is to show how deeply divided the American public was over the war in the Philippines and how many felt that it would lead to American involvement in other world affairs. A direct parallel is also drawn to the Iraq War in modernity. Finally, the paper ends with a detailed account of how individual soldiers from both sides viewed the conflict. The Filipinos clearly viewed the insurgency as a necessary action in order to preserve their promised independence, while many American soldiers were disgusted and frustrated with why they were in the country to begin with, and often responded violently towards the natives since they began to view them as subhuman. The psychology of warfare is briefly discussed, as soldiers often dehumanize the enemy as a means of justification of their own violent behavior. The end of the insurgency is also discussed, with American troops brutally putting down the rebellion and establishing a tight control over the entire area for decades.
From the Paper "On April 11th, 1898, the President of the United States William McKinley went to Congress and asked the elected body to declare war on Spain for their role in oppression overseas and to accommodate public opinion that was strongly anti-Spanish due to the sinking of the United States battleship Maine only a few months earlier that was blamed on Spanish agents. Congress eventually sanctioned the war, and the Spanish-American war commenced with several battles over Spanish colonies such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The war itself was over fairly quickly, as hostilities were ended only a few months after war was officially declared. The involvement in the former Spanish colonies clearly demonstrated that America had shifted to a strong imperialistic attitude when it came to the Western Hemisphere and indeed the world in general, and would be forced to endure all of the benefits and tribulations that came from being an imperialistic power."
Tags: aguinaldo, american, emilio, filipino, history, philippines, spanish, war, wars
This paper traces the evolution of America's identity using elements of the musical 1776. It concentrates on the Founding Fathers and their drive for freedom and the large role that an American identity played in independence.
960 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 3 sources, 2002, $ 34.95
Abstract This paper uses extensive information about colonial America and discusses the issue of an American identity. Analysis of the film 1776 and Thomas Paine's Common Sense is used to demonstrate the strength of this identity. The thesis is as follows: As the film 1776 clearly demonstrates, during the American Revolution an American identity was stronger than it had ever been.
From the paper:
"Early American colonies were viewed as very individual and indeed in many instances had much closer ties to England than they did with each other. However, ties with England began to fray due to the poor of the colonies by England. Early examples of this were the Navigation Acts of 1660, which regulated commerce and ensured that ?everything went through England.? From this time, an American identity began to form. As tensions between England and the colonies grew stronger other factors arose to further the development of an American identity. "Choice" in shopping and material possessions and the "standardization of consumer behavior" (similar goods being available throughout the colonies ) enhanced unity throughout America. As the film 1776 clearly demonstrates, during the American Revolution an American identity was stronger than it had ever been."
Tags: 1776, american, common, fathers, founding, independance, revolution, sense
Reviews both American non-fiction and American fiction works of art to support the notion that the American spirit is reflected in both types of literature.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 4 sources, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract One of the most poignant quotes in American literature comes from Donald Briscoe, who stated that "To understand American Literature, it is necessary to examine both its fiction and its non- fiction because the key to the American Spirit can be found in both." This paper assesses Briscoe's quote through addressing two works of American fiction and two works of American non- fiction with the intent of proving how the spirit of the American people is reflected in both types of literature.
Abstract This paper examines the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II by comparing this action with the freedom experienced by German-Americans during the same period. The author questions the inherent racism of Americans that enabled such an occurrence to be legally sanctioned, while German-Americans lived their lives freely, although Hitler and Germany were also enemies of America during World War II. The paper then presents a detailed background of the Japanese immigrant experience in America, contrasting this with the American ideal of freedom and the reality of racism. The experiences of African and Native-Americans are also considered. The paper then describes the actual Japanese internment, which was unprecedented event in American history. The paper further states how the Internment still has an effect on the psyche of the Japanese-American population today. The author concludes that the internment of Japanese-Americans during the Second World War was one of the great tragedies of American history.
Outline:
Introduction
Background: The Japanese Experience in America
Prejudice Unleashed: The Internment Experience
Conclusion
From the Paper " Naturally, the situation was worse the further removed from the Anglo-Saxon ideal a group might chance to be. After the Civil War, the newly reunited nation demanded a huge supply of cheap labor to build its rapidly expanding railroad network. In the West, this labor was provided, to a large extent, by settlers from Japan and China. Labor Contractors, generally Japanese or Chinese themselves actively recruited these workers and brought them to America. They helped to lay the foundations of America's industrial prosperity. White American racial attitudes combined with a nationwide railroad strike in 1877 to create the necessary conditions for a crackdown on Asian immigration. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was soon followed by other, stricter acts, in 1892, 1902, and 1904. And as White America saw little, if any difference, between Japanese and any other Asians, the anti-Chinese immigration laws were followed by a Japanese Exclusion Act in 1907. By 1924, the United States had imposed an almost total ban on all immigration from East Asia, ..."
Tags: Japanese-Americans, internment, World, War, II, immigrant, experiences
Abstract This paper argues that the Americans provoked the Mexican-American War of 1846 - 1848. The writer details the events leading to the war and then explains why it was the fault of the Americans that the war took place. It examines the impact of the war on the Mexican citizens and the effects of relationships between the two countries until today.
From the Paper "Throughout the history of the nation we have weathered many storms. This latest round with Afghanistan is just one more. In most cases we do not start wars. We are content to live in peace and just oversee the way things go around the globe, however there have been exceptions and the Mexican American War was one of them. While both sides were at fault in that war it was the American side that started the process, which built on both sides until it finally cumulated in a war."
Tags: war, american, mexico, Texas, Rio, Grande, independance
A paper which explores the way American society has emerged through the granting of rights and liberties to various groups and classes of Americans through the years.
Abstract A study of the progress of the granting of rights to various races and classes throughout American history. The paper shows this progress by examining the relevant literature that bears on the history of rights and freedoms -- Ben Franklin's ?Autobiography,? Frederick Douglass? ?Narrative of an American Slave,? Michael Shaara's ?Killer Angels,? John Locke's "Second Treatise of Government" and the American Constitution. The paper shows that these documents have contributed greatly to the fact that individual liberties and rights have increased steadily since colonial times.
From the Paper "But here, Franklin develops the early system of checks and balances in government. The King may not act without colonial assent, and the colonists may not act without royal asset. Once assent is given on either end, it is not retractable. Rights, then, are permanent in Franklin's assessment. The King, once he acts, may not go back on his word and retract rights. However, there is a sort of double standard, as naturally the colonists may continue to ask for more rights on top of the ones that the king has already granted. This logic leaves a balance of the power tilted towards the colonists and their Assemblies rather than towards the King: the very start of our progress of individual rights and freedoms."
Tags: African, Americans, internment, camps, Japanese
Abstract This paper discusses how American culture highly regards individuality compared to many other cultures and for this reason, it is more difficult to distinguish the dominant values, beliefs and traditions of American life, because the lives of Americans differ so much, depending on their race, class and beliefs. It examines how the authors Tracy Ore, John Langston Gwaltney and Lillian Rubin in their three different articles each add a unique perspective to the values that dominate our culture. It also looks at how they provide valuable insight on the American dream and how different groups experience it, due to the cultural differences that America has labeled them with.
From the Paper "Ore makes an excellent point when she says that Americans categorize each other by race and culture. In many cases, race and culture work closely to create significant distinctions among groups within a larger society. Often, race plays a part in establishing separate cultural groups. In the United States, people are disturbed when they are unable to classify someone based on their race. If it is unclear what race someone is, they will ask one another, "What are you"? (Ore, p. 1)
According to Ore, ?the culturally defined classifications are significant in that they are structured as categories that are fundamentally different from one another. (p. 1). People expect to be able to tell is someone is black or white, for example, and are confused when someone is in between. However, while someone may be different, it is not a negative thing."
Abstract Often people have the wrong concept of an American Indian. Children 's conception of Native Americans often is developed from the media. Often Native Americans are sent to school and lose their concept of the Native American as well as the language of their people.
