Realism Movement in Drama, Summaries of Theatre

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Realism Movement in Drama

Santos R, David H, Khiem H, Walter C.

What is Realism?

“Refers generally to any artistic or literary portrayal of life in a

faithful, accurate manner, unclouded by false ideals, literary

conventions, or misplaced aesthetic glorification and beautification

of the world. It is a theory or tendency in writing to depict events in

human life in a matter-of-fact, straightforward manner. It is an

attempt to reflect life "as it actually is"”

-Carson- Newman College

Background

● Movement began in mid-late 1800’s as an experiment to make drama more appetizing to society ● Political events and social reforms led to different thoughts ● Sudden rejection of Romantic idealism: ❖ Revolutions and wars in Europe portrayed the need for social, economic and political reform ❖ Technological advances ❖ Pragmatism ❖ Common man demanded recognition ❖ Working/ middle class demanded more rights

Contributors to Realism

● Auguste Comte : Developed Positivism theory, encouraged one to

inspect nature through precise observation

● Charles Darwin : “Origin of Species”, made many people believe that

science could provide the answers in life

● Karl Marx : Argued against urbanization and in favor of equal

distribution of wealth, founder of Communism

Writers of Realism

● Alexandre Dumas fils ○ Contemporary life and social problems ( Camille ) ● Emile Augier ○ Contemporary conditions ● Anton Chekhov ○ Known for psychological reality, social complications, illusion of the lack of a plot ( The Lady w/ the Dog, Three Sisters )

What makes something a realistic work?

In realistic work, such as A Doll’s House, readers tend to view important techniques the make plays and novels realistic.

● Characters are believable and engaging. ● The characters live, relatable or not, lives within the story. ● An accurate reflection of the human condition and contemporary life with no stereotyping. ● Reflection is made also by culture and social class. ● Details of individuals’ problems and challenges.

Theatrical (drama) realism

● Movement began in mid-late 19th century in Europe (Norway)

● Playwright, Henrik Ibsen, is credited for introducing realism in

drama

● Ibsen known as the “Father of Realism”

● Aimed at bringing a greater fidelity of real life to the stage

● Attacked society's values & dealt with unconventional subjects

Realistic Setting in Plays

● Recreate a specific location ● Painted backdrop and wings-flats were placed parallel to mask offstage space ● Some furniture and freestanding objects were added on stage ● Some interior designs for plays featured a room with three walls, a ceiling, and decor.

Gender Roles: The Role of Women

● The women were seen as only caretakers of the house and children, as well as the supporters of the husband's each decision. ● Women were restricted and bound to the societal norms of the time ● If women had free time it was to be put into with maintaining the household and not socializing. ● Education was limited towards women, also they were strictly prohibited from politics completely.

Example in A Doll’s House: "How painful and humiliating it would be for Torvald, with his manly independence, to know that he owed me anything!" (ACT 1)

Gender Roles: The Role of Men

● Men are seen as the moral of the household , though at times not the brightest. ● The main provider of the family; their status in their workplace and social life had had hefty importance. ● Expected to live a public life no matter the job. ● Socializing with other like-minded men in public places like clubs, meetings, or even bars.

Example in A Doll's house: “ Nora dear, I can forgive you this pancic, even though basically you’re insulting me… Whatever comes. you’ll see: when it really counts, I have strength and courage enough as a man to take on the whole weight myself.”( Act II )

Thematic References including Realism

● “My life is so dreadfully empty and I feel so forsaken. There is not the least pleasure in working for one's self. Nils, give me someone and something to work for” (2221 Act 3) This displays realism because of how, in real life, people have problems. ● “My poor innocent spine has to suffer for my father’s youthful amusement” (Act 2). Even something as simple as an illness demonstrates life’s issues. ● [From below, the sound of a door slamming shut] (2233 Act 3) The play ends with a failed relationship, as opposed to past stories that supported the idea that life is like a fairy tale. It is not.

Public Reaction to A Doll's House

● Play was an attack on the middle class ● The new middle class values included hard work, sexual morality, education, thrift and a prudent marriage. ● Image was everything, Nora showed this ● Ms Linde didn't represent the ideal Victorian woman, she was poor, widowed, no children, but she knew the right and wrongs ● Ibsen attacked the male audience with the portrayal of Torvald as only caring about family image.

What was easy/hard to understand

Easy

● The connection between the play and real life of how women are controlled. ● The role of feminism and how it applied to the last action of the play (when Nora leaves).

Hard

● The idea that, in real life, most women are controlled and they let it happen. How come Nora took action if realism shows that it only happens in a rare case? ● The fact that science led to the realistic movement in theatrical drama.

Summary Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrIsTzcq5O