Verified Document

Modern Drama Term Paper

Related Topics:

¶ … Drama Is the Importance of Being Earnest a serious examination of the idea that people wear masks and have multiple identities, or is it just a farce with no serious content?

The idea that people wear masks is the central metaphor in the play "The Importance of Being Earnest," but ultimately, the play is a farce that author Wilde uses to poke fun at the general tolerance for hypocrisy in conventional society. Two of the play's characters, both Jack Working and Algernon create alter-egos, or "masks" that allow them to live seemingly double lives. In London, Jack is known as "Earnest," and gets into all sorts of trouble, while at home; Jack is respectable and quite conservative. While these dual identities do show that people often wear masks and are not what they seem, the underlying theme of the play is a society that is...

For example, the speech Lady Bracknell gives about ignorance is quite indicative of stuffy, pompous Londoners who have an opinion on anything, and must conform to the constraints of society at all costs. She says, "I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever" (Wilde Act I). Lady Bracknell is a snob who acts quite self-important but is actually the epitome of ignorance herself, and so, she is a farcical character that points out the weaknesses of her social class, as well as other characters in the play. Thus, the play revolves around characters who wear masks so they can…

Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Structure of Ancient and Modern Dramas to
Words: 816 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

structure of ancient and modern dramas to highlight their differences and similarities. The paper also shows how drama evolved over the centuries with references to Greek, Elizabethan and Modern plays. MODERN AND ANCIENT DRAMA: A COMPARISON Drama has an inherent ability to adapt itself to the thinking and wishes of the society in which it takes birth. Therefore modern drama with all its intensity, relevance and eloquence is certainly more popular

Drama Poetry How Is the More Direct
Words: 664 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Drama Poetry How is the more direct performative aspect of drama and/or poetry reflected in these forms? (Consider for example, each genre's uses of literary structure, language, technique, and style.) In Rupert Goold's Macbeth, the language and literary structure are following the same lines from the Shakespearian play. Yet, the way the characters are speaking and performing their roles helps the individual to understand the setting and background of what is occurring.

Drama Death of a Salesman -- Comparison
Words: 740 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Drama Death of a Salesman -- comparison between the play and a 1985 TV rendering of the play, starring Dustin Hoffman The tragedy of Willie Loman in the play by Arthur Miller seems like a man who wants to be great, yet falls to a tragic and small end. However, the televised version of the play makes Willie seem like a little or 'low' man throughout. Thus, although the Arthur Miller 1950's

Drama Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
Words: 876 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

Drama Arthur Miller's Death of a salesman and Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House appear to contain no common themes on first reading. But upon close analysis of the two plays, readers are likely to discover that there is indeed the one major theme that is common in both stories however it has been discussed and exploited differently. Both plays highlight the importance of 'identity' and the consequences of not having one. Death

Drama As a Literary Form
Words: 1441 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

The tension of the opening is never fully dissipated even as Achilleus shows his hospitality and makes certain promises to Priam about holding off the fighting for twelve days while the Trojans bury the son of their ruler. However, just as it appears that the situation is concluded, the god Hermes comes to Priam and warns him to leave now because if the Greeks find him asleep in the

Drama - Drugs in Society
Words: 881 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

He actually credited his use of pot as helping his thought processes and considered himself intellectually inspired by it (Davidson 1999). His previous writings on the subject appeared much earlier, but under a fictitious pseudonym. In his words: I am convinced that there are genuine and valid levels of perception available with cannabis (and probably with other drugs) which are, through the defects of our society and our educational system,

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now