Abstract This paper examines the play, "A Raisin in the Sun," by Lorraine Hansberry and, in particular, looks at how the characters of Walter Lee, Lena Younger, and Beneatha provide a good representation of the trials and tribulations that the majority of the black population was facing during the 1950s and even the 1960s. It shows how each of them either persevered and reached his or her ultimate goal in the face of adversity or at least maintained hope in the eventual actualization of that goal.
From the Paper "From the onset of the play it is made known that Walter Lee, the man or father of the household is underpaid and unappreciated as the chauffeur for a white man. Walter has begun the planning phases of a joint opportunity for investment into and the opening of a liquor store. His goals include the ability to provide a better life for his family and to be able to attain their residence, currently they are living with his mother and sister in an apartment. "I got a boy who sleeps in the living room and all I got to give him is stories about how rich white people live..." (1777). Walter also wants to show his son that a black man or woman can be successful and work for themselves and not have to work for the white man."
Abstract Musical theater is almost as old as America itself. From the 1700s to the present day, the stages across the United States have come alive with the voices and instruments of dramatic, romantic and comedic musicals that have delighted audiences of all ages. This paper shows that the United States is known for its mixture of cultures, beliefs and traditions and where freedom of expression is not only allowed but encouraged. American musical theater is a prime example of this ethnic and cultural eclectic creativity and presentation. The paper traces the history of musical theater in the United States from the 1700s to the present day.
From the Paper "Rodgers and Hammerstein started their run of hits with "Oklahoma." The seemingly impossible mixture of murder, suspense and music worked because the characters were characterized in depth. The creative team took other risks as well: Instead of opening with the usual stirring ensemble number, the curtain rose on a farm woman churning butter as a cowboy enters singing a solo about the beauty of the morning. Further, Hammerstein wrote lyrics for all the songs in a conversational style, each fitting specific characters and storytelling needs. In addition, since the characters would be dealing with emotions that might sound awkward if verbalized by cowboys and farm girls, Rodgers and Hammerstein decided to use dance as an integral element."
Abstract This paper explains that the roles of the Greek Chorus in Sophocles' "Antigone" are its technical functions as the logical division of the play into sequential parts and as the representation of the characters and the Chorus' own role as an autonomous entity in the plot of the play. The author explains that the Chorus as a character in the play appears as a single entity, thus using the first person singular body, "I", and acts as a lyrical commentator. The paper relates that the Chorus creates the connection between Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone".
From the Paper "The typical technical characteristics of the Greek Chorus are generally maintained in Antigone. The Chorus sings as it enters onto the stage--the parodos--shortly after the first scene and unfolds the exposition of the play, i.e., the events that took place before the time of the play itself. In the exposition of Antigone [704-706, lines 117-179], the Chorus tells us about the great war of "the seven against Thebes" and, by that, provides the missing details such as the cause of death of Antigone's brother, the general atmosphere in the city (the aftermath), and the reasons that back and nourish Creon's unquestionable leadership as well as his blasphemous acts."
Abstract In this article, the writer examines Lorraine Hansberry's drama, "A Raisin in The Sun". The writer focuses on how racism and oppression impact one family's internal dynamic and their struggle to achieve dignity and respect.
From the Paper "Lorraine Hansberry's drama 'A Raisin in The Sun' revolves around the dilemma of Ruth and Walter Lee Younger. The Youngers exist in the racist culture of Chicago. Residing in a cramped apartment, the Youngers look forward to their move to a house part of their realization of the American Dream with anticipation. However, their new neighbors are unhappy with the prospect of a black family living in their neighborhood, so they conspire with the Clybourne Park Improvement Association to keep them out by ..."
Tags: African Americans, Mama Lena, Walter Lee Younger, prejudice, social class, maturity, love, American Dream, mainstream culture
Abstract This paper analyzes the theme of Royall Tyler's play "The Contrast."
From the Paper "Royall Tyler's play "The Contrast" was the first performed American play and as such its theme is distinctly American. At a time when the country was struggling to carve out a national identity, Tyler articulated what American character truly was and why the nation could be proud of its distinct culture. By utilizing the genre of comedy and satire he was able to point out the pretentiousness of the European lifestyle, while illustrating the superiority of America's more simple ways."
Abstract This paper takes a close look at the ideology of the American Dream which is behind both Arthur Miller's classic play, "Death of a Salesman" and its tragic protagonist, Willy Loman. The paper argues that the ideology is flawed, its flaws being Willy's wrong interpretation of it as a popularity contest, it not fitting the world in which he lives, it being destructive and it not being as easy as he believes it should be. Finally, the paper discusses the effect of Willy's ideology on his sons.
From the Paper "When Arthur Miller's classic play came out in 1949, the United States were in the middle of another huge boom: a literal Baby Boom, a boom of housing, a boom of sufficient and well-paid employment, a boom of success, a boom of prosperity. I use the word "another" to qualify this particular "boom" because the country had just ended times of Depression and war, in the never-ending cycle of good times and bad times that had started from America's very independence, a cycle of war or poverty followed by riches, or at least financial stability."
Abstract In this paper, the writer demonstrates that Hamlet has ultimately realized true insanity, as he has acted out his madness in a disguise that has failed on a large scale. The writer discusses that in this manner, the critical views of Grady offer greater insight into a psychological case for insanity for Hamlet in the play. The writer also shows that critic Harold Bloom does show a variety of behaviors that might present Hamlet's insanity as a disguise.
From the Paper "This study reveals critical theory and interpretation that often revolves the character Hamlet in William Shakespeare's play The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. By assessing modern critical theory on Hamlet's character, one can understand that many critics agree on Hamlet's insanity within the play, and how this links to his own tragic fate in the play. By offering different theoretical analysis of this aspect of Hamlet's character, we can understand why psychology--via madness and insanity--are how twentieth century critics view Shakespeare's portrayal of Hamlet in critical perspectives. In the first appearance of the Ghost (Hamlet's dead father) in the beginning of the play, reveal the first delusional image that Hamlet receives."
Abstract This paper discusses the gender conflict in the play 'M Butterfly' by David Henry Hwang. According to the paper, this work is based on the romantic relationship of Song and Gallimard. In many ways, Gallimard offers a typical sexist male gender role behavior toward the typically female, Song. These gender norms appear to be colluding in unison for the couple, but are ultimately destroyed when Gallimard learns if his lovers true sex. This provides the foundation for gender norms, and Hwang reverses these roles in a clever plot twist through romance, espionage, and culture.
From the Paper "This drama study will analyze the gender conflict that arises within the play: M Butterfly by David Henry Hwang. Much of the play revolves around Song, and her unique ability to seduce Gallimard with her submissive and seemingly passive female behaviors. However, the backdrop to her femininity is merely a mask for the male gender intrigue that surrounds her real identity as a man. In this study, the basis of gender conflict within this story reveals the darker side of male-female relationships through the conflicting masquerades of character identity within this play by David Henry Hwang. The initial and defining role of Song in this play revolves around the imperialistic sexism of Rene Gallimard, a French diplomat traveling through China. "
Abstract This review of Eugene O'Neil's "Long Day's Journey Into Night", describes how the characters use denial as a temporary escape from their problems. Whether it be denying personal qualities, such as stinginess, a bad decision, or an unhealthy addiction, their denial only makes their problems worse. O'Neill uses the Tyrone family and their denial to show how avoiding issues is not going to solve or make them disappear. Though denial may be a temporary escape from a problem, in the long run it is futile.
From the Paper "It is common knowledge that "The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem." Unfortunately, in Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey Into Night", many of the characters find the first step to be the hardest. Instead of facing reality, James Tyrone, Edmund, Jamie, and Mary continue to deny their problems in hopes that they will go away. Each of the characters uses denial as a temporary escape from their problems and the reality of the world rather than facing their problems and solving them."
Abstract This paper addresses the politics of sexuality and gender in three specific works from ancient Greece. These works are dramas, and are the "Iliad", "Antigone", and "Lysistrata".
From the Paper "The roles of men and women in Greek society are of particular interest, and demonstrate that a type of "fued" seemed to exist between the genders in ancient Greece. "
Abstract This paper analyses the character of Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman" who, in his obsession for success and being number one, loses sight of who he really is. The author looks at Willy's relationship with his family and the image he desperately tries to display to the world.
From the Paper "Willy Loman had a dream: to be on the top, to be "the number-one man" (p.107). While he led his whole life in accordance with this dream, he lost sight of "who he really was" (p.107). He never questioned himself, whether he actually was identical to the person he dreamed to be. Willy simply ignores everything, which might destroy his dream: he ignores his own feelings and thoughts, those of his family and especially the feelings and wishes of his son, Biff."
Abstract This paper discusses "Midsummer Night's Dream" as the author believes Shakespeare intended the play to be - as a delightful, fun frolic, and contrasts it to Moshinsky's film version which emphasizes the darker elements of the script and loses much of the comic elements of the story.
From the Paper "This sentence would be a perfect introduction to Elijah Moshinsky's film adaptation of Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream", since it is not delightful, but instead stresses the tragic elements of the play. Shakespeare's language, rich of colourful images, creates a flower-scent and magical atmosphere. ?The descriptions breathe a sweetness like odours thrown from beds of flowers.? Though Moshinsky adapts Shakespeare's original text, the language loses nevertheless a part of its imaginative power. He focuses rather on the tragic elements of the play and renders it thus more serious and less bland."
"?We do not come, as minding to content you, our true intent is. All for your delight, we are not here. That you should here repent you, the actors are at hand; and, by their show you shall know all, that you are like to know (p.57).?
This sentence would be a perfect introduction to Elijah Moshinsky's film adaptation of Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream", since it is not delightful, but instead stresses the tragic elements of the play.
Shakespeare's language, rich of colourful images, creates a flower-scent and magical atmosphere. ?The descriptions breathe a sweetness like odours thrown from beds of flowers.? Though Moshinsky adapts Shakespeare's original text, the language loses nevertheless a part of its imaginative power. He focuses rather on the tragic elements of the play and renders it thus more serious and less bland."
Abstract This paper shows how the role of Hamlet has changed throughout the ages. The Jacobean English adaptations see Hamlet as a hero revenging wrongs set up against himself, focusing on his melancholy and malcontentism. The same character in eighteenth century German society was different and the version of the play was simplified. The paper looks at how the changes in society directly influenced the way that the play was performed and the character of Hamlet portrayed.
From the Paper "The Jacobean English interpretation of Hamlet sees Hamlet as a romantic avenger. But what is it really that makes Hamlet so romantic? The grief of his father's murder and the humiliation of his mother's marriage influence the unhappiness in Hamlet's soul, but there are other numerous tragedies that happen around him. "
Abstract This is a short essay that analyzes the character flaws of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. The paper emphasizes the qualities of overconfidence and impulsiveness while using the play as a primary reference.
From the Paper "In ?Macbeth,? William Shakespeare suggests that overconfidence and impulsiveness are fatal character qualities. Overconfidence leads characters to impulsiveness. When a character believes certain things about themselves or other objects and events around them that are not true, their perception and judgment become clouded; this leads the character to act impulsively. Characters end up carrying out actions rashly and without considering the consequences that they will have to face later. These consequences are often extremely severe and detrimental to the character's ultimate goal."
