Early American Drama - The title of this section relies on the fact that real American drama began in 1914 with the appearance of Eugene O'Neil on the New York stage. Until that time, it is largely agreed, American drama was nothing more than an offshoot, maybe a copy, of European drama and like American literture of a centruy before immitated only. But now with playwrights born and raised in the American society, instilled with the American spirit of the times, the American-ness of drama became more than geographical.
Selections: Plays are fast reading, but often times are difficult to read silently. They should be read aloud, preferably, in groups. Therefore, some of the reading - a limit amount - will be done in class, in character. But it is your primary responsibility to read the text on your own or with your group and not to rely on class reading but for its additive value.
We will be reading three plays. All students will read the same plays at the same time. A reading schedule follows:
February 1 through 12 - Eugene O'Neil's The Hairy Ape - available on line at http://www.eoneill.com/texts/ha/contents.htm.
February 13 through 21 - Thornton Wilder's Our Town - used editions available cheap through Amazon.com (save shipping, order together and ship ground).
February 22 through February 28th - Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour - check the synopsis. It should be available through Amazon or used bookstores like Walden Pond on Grand Avenue or Moe's in Berkeley.
NOTE: Each reading period includes a weekend. Please be intelligent about scheduling the reading.
