10.1 The development of American Realism in the mid-20th century

American Realism emerged in mid-20th century theater as a reaction to earlier dramatic styles. It focused on everyday life, depicting ordinary people in realistic settings with natural dialogue. Playwrights like Miller and Williams explored social issues and the American Dream.

This movement was influenced by socio-economic factors, political shifts, and psychological theories. It contrasted with European avant-garde and absurdist theater, instead aiming to create emotional connections with audiences through relatable characters and situations.

American Realism: Key Characteristics

Depicting Ordinary Life

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• Emerged in the mid-20th century as a reaction against the heightened emotionalism and escapism of previous theatrical movements
• Sought to depict the "slice of life" of ordinary people and everyday situations, often focusing on middle or lower-class characters (salesmen, factory workers, housewives)
• Settings were often mundane, domestic spaces that reflected the living conditions of the characters (tenement apartments, suburban homes)

Realistic Dialogue and Themes

• Dialogue aimed to reproduce the natural speech patterns and colloquialisms of real people
  • Used vernacular language, regional accents, and idiomatic expressions
  • Avoided poetic or stylized language in favor of more naturalistic speech
• Themes frequently revolved around social issues, family dynamics, and the struggles of the working class in pursuit of the American Dream
  • Explored topics such as economic inequality, racial discrimination, and gender roles
  • Examined the psychological and emotional toll of societal pressures on individuals and families

Dramatic Structure and Notable Playwrights

• The "well-made play" structure was often employed, featuring a clear exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution
  • Plays typically adhered to the unities of time, place, and action
  • Emphasized cause-and-effect relationships and logical plot developments
• Playwrights associated with American Realism include Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman), Tennessee Williams (A Streetcar Named Desire), Eugene O'Neill (Long Day's Journey into Night), and Lorraine Hansberry (A Raisin in the Sun)

Influences on American Realism

Socio-Economic Factors

• The Great Depression of the 1930s and its aftermath had a profound impact on American society, leading to a greater focus on social and economic issues in the arts
  • Widespread poverty, unemployment, and income inequality became central themes in realistic plays
  • The struggles of the working class and the erosion of the American Dream were frequently depicted
• The rise of the middle class, suburbanization, and the nuclear family in the post-World War II period provided new subject matter for realistic plays
  • Plays explored the conformity, consumerism, and social expectations of suburban life (The Crucible, All My Sons)

Political and Cultural Movements

• The Civil Rights Movement and other social justice initiatives of the 1950s and 1960s drew attention to issues of racial inequality, gender roles, and political activism
  • Plays like A Raisin in the Sun and Dutchman addressed the experiences of African Americans and racial tensions in American society
  • The feminist movement and changing gender roles were reflected in plays that featured strong female characters and challenged traditional notions of femininity (The Children's Hour, The Little Foxes)
• The Cold War and the threat of nuclear annihilation created a sense of anxiety and uncertainty that permeated American culture
  • Plays like The Crucible and The Twilight Zone used allegory and science fiction to comment on the political paranoia and conformity of the era

Psychological and Artistic Influences

• The influence of Freudian psychology and the growing field of psychoanalysis led to a deeper exploration of the inner lives and motivations of characters
  • Plays delved into the subconscious desires, fears, and traumas that shaped characters' actions and relationships (A Streetcar Named Desire, Long Day's Journey into Night)
  • The concept of the "tragic hero" was reinterpreted through a psychological lens, with characters' flaws and weaknesses rooted in their past experiences and emotional wounds
• The rise of method acting, as popularized by the Actors Studio, emphasized emotional authenticity and the "truth" of a character's experience
  • Actors like Marlon Brando, James Dean, and Geraldine Page brought a new level of naturalism and intensity to their performances
  • The method approach influenced playwriting as well, with characters' inner lives and motivations becoming more central to the dramatic action

American Realism vs Other Movements

Contrasts with European Avant-Garde

• In contrast to the symbolism and experimentation of the European avant-garde, American Realism focused on creating a believable, recognizable world on stage
  • European movements like Surrealism and Expressionism used abstract, non-realistic elements to convey psychological or emotional states
  • American Realism aimed for a more literal representation of reality, with settings, characters, and dialogue that mirrored everyday life

Divergence from Theatre of the Absurd

• While the Theatre of the Absurd explored the meaninglessness and irrationality of human existence, American Realism sought to find meaning and truth in the everyday struggles of ordinary people
  • Absurdist plays like Waiting for Godot and The Bald Soprano rejected traditional plot structures and character development in favor of circular, repetitive action and nonsensical dialogue
  • American Realism adhered to more conventional narrative forms and aimed to create empathy and understanding for its characters' plights

Relationship to Epic Theatre

• Epic Theatre, as developed by Bertolt Brecht, used alienation techniques to encourage critical thinking and social change, while American Realism aimed for emotional engagement and identification with the characters
  • Brechtian plays like Mother Courage and Her Children and The Caucasian Chalk Circle employed devices like direct address, placards, and songs to disrupt the audience's immersion in the story and provoke intellectual reflection
  • American Realism sought to draw the audience into the world of the play and create a sense of emotional connection with the characters' experiences

Blurring of Boundaries

• The poetic realism of Tennessee Williams and the expressionistic elements in the works of Eugene O'Neill and Arthur Miller sometimes blurred the lines between strict realism and other theatrical styles
  • Plays like The Glass Menagerie and Death of a Salesman incorporated dream sequences, memory scenes, and symbolic imagery that departed from pure realism
  • These playwrights used non-realistic techniques to access the inner lives of their characters and convey deeper truths about the human condition

Impact of American Realism

Dominance in Mid-20th Century Theatre

• American Realism became the dominant theatrical style in the United States for much of the mid-20th century, influencing playwriting, acting, and production practices
  • Realistic plays were the mainstay of Broadway and regional theatres across the country
  • The style's popularity was fueled by its accessibility, emotional resonance, and engagement with contemporary social issues

Canonical Works and Continued Relevance

• Plays such as Death of a Salesman, A Streetcar Named Desire, and A Raisin in the Sun became canonical works in the American theatre repertoire and are still widely produced today
  • These plays are considered masterpieces of the form, celebrated for their powerful characterizations, poetic language, and timeless themes
  • The enduring relevance of these works speaks to their ability to capture the essence of the American experience and the universal struggles of the human condition

Establishment of Theatre as Cultural Commentary

• The emphasis on social issues and the exploration of the American experience in realistic plays helped to establish theatre as a serious art form and a vehicle for cultural commentary
  • Realistic plays tackled subjects like racism, economic inequality, and political corruption, sparking public discourse and debate
  • Theatre became a forum for examining the complexities and contradictions of American society, challenging audiences to confront difficult truths and imagine possibilities for change

Growth of American Theatre Industry

• The success of American Realism on Broadway and in regional theatres across the country contributed to the growth and professionalization of the American theatre industry
  • The demand for realistic plays led to an increase in the number of professional theatre companies and the development of a more robust infrastructure for play production and distribution
  • The style's popularity also helped to establish playwriting as a viable career path and supported the emergence of a new generation of American dramatists

Lasting Influence on Contemporary Theatre

• Many of the themes and techniques of American Realism continue to influence contemporary playwrights and productions, even as the theatre has embraced a wider range of styles and voices
  • Realistic plays remain a staple of the American theatre, with new works exploring the complexities of 21st-century life and the evolving nature of the American Dream
  • The legacy of American Realism can be seen in the ongoing commitment of many theatre artists to create work that engages with the social and political realities of American life, from issues of identity and representation to the challenges of globalization and technological change