Drama : registreerder van laat twintigste-eeuse stadsproblematiek

[摘要] Drama of any age exposes, explains and criticizes problems current at such a time. Plays can be described as barometers: absorbing, registering and interpreting daily needs and crises. Thus, the pressures of the late twentieth century are very apparent in the study of dramatic works of this era, and may be summed up as fundamentally urban problematic. 'Urban' in this sense is not only a quantitative expression of statistics or geography, but is also indicating a specific lifestyle. Modern city (or urban existence) may be described as a frame of mind, a manner of thinking, living and working: it is an attitude which reflects present day lifestyle. Dramas of this century portray today's city life and world view. The subject of research for this thesis covers the way in which drama exposes the above mentioned urban problematic. The importance of the subject is that the city not only has a cardinal place in the twentieth century actuality, but it is explicitly included by God in the realization of his kingdom. A thematic approach has been used for this research, namely: urban problematic represent life's problems. Plays which portray everyday human needs and anxieties, have been concentrated on. Those dramas which portray the positive influence and enrichment of technique and city life, have not been used for this thesis. For the purpose of depicting this cultural diagnosis, several plays have been analysed, though only seven in depth. Chapter 1 gives an account of the subject of research and its scope. The purpose and relevance of this research, its method and the basis of the investigation, giving a unique Christian character, is to be explained and motivated. Chapter 2 covers the general historical line of the parallel development between city, drama and the corresponding spirit of time. This enables a better understanding of the historical factors which gave rise to contemporary urban problematic. Chapter 3 is a study of Halte 49 by Henriette Grove. This play shows characters who long to escape the conflicts of city-life, where they have been reduced to unimportant entities in a large, impersonal machine driven existence. From this play one gathers that a certain coldness has entered into the modern techno polis. People are often ruled by machines, and often become automatons with no sparkle of individuality. Chapter 4 is an analysis of Athol Fugard's People are living there. Here the situation arises where people barely know themselves and their own values. They are people on the edge of the stream, where life and others pass them by. One gains the impression of the city being a human rubbish dump. Chapter 5 covers Pa maak vir my n vlieer pa by Chris Barnard. This play dramatizes the loneliness of people who are buried amongst the noise and dirt of an impersonal, even threatening, city. It is a correlation of many people's experience of a city today. In Chapter 6 The caretaker by Harold Pinter is discussed as an example of the process of destruction of modern man by means of scorn and psychological violence. Equus by Peter Shaffer is discussed in chapter 7. Equus reflects the metaphysical needs of people living in a city of high standards and false values. Truth isn't the standard, and especially, for them there is no true God as lifeline. Attitudes of relativism are dealt with here. A conclusion derived is that the city is often a conglomeration of conflicting religious values and ideas. Chapter 8 deals with Angel City by Sam Shepard. This play portrays the destruction of the man-made city, Angel City - a miniature society, illustrating the actual powerlessness of the so-called powerful. Chapter 9 researches There very own and golden city by Arnold Wesker. Here one finds expression of the longing for revival, or the radical change to a more ideal city complex. In chapter 10, after researching about one hundred and fifty twentieth century plays, a final interpretation of the subject is given. The dramas studied, all criticize and oppose the techno-scientific culture; they all succeed in giving an interpretation of the needs andproblems of modern man i n his environment. They show identification and empathy with modern-day people in their imperfect society. Through the analysis of these works the reader and analyser is made aware of present times, its shortcomings and the state of dilemma and crisis in which twentieth century man exists. This research would like to emphasize the truth of genuine faith and hope in Christ. Ultimately it is the task of the Christian's cultural endeavour: to join in the coming of the kingdom of God. Man's part is still imperfect, but eventually it will be consummated by Christ himself

[发布机构] North-West University