Research Catalog

Details

Description

1. 239 p.; 24 cm.

Summary

1. "The last two decades of the twentieth century gave rise to a renaissance in the genre of the political drama in Germany. Although political drama has always been a mainstay of German literature, it has been of particular significance during the years surrounding the Wende, or reunification, of 1989. This book is the first comprehensive study of politically engaged German drama writing in the 1980s and 1990s, covering the works of key playwrights during the period and providing an analysis of oppositional theater before and after reunification. It treats the range of current political topics and their repercussions in drama writing, including reunification, women's issues, the media, politicized environmentalism and the Greens, and right-wing radicalism. In addition to established playwrights such as Heinar Kipphardt, Franz Xaver Kroetz, and Heiner Muller, the book looks at the younger generation of playwrights not yet fully taken into account by research: writers such as Oliver Bukowski, Dea Loher, Marius von Mayenburg, Albert Ostermaier, and Theresia Walser. It gives an overview of the most important developments in recent German political drama through analysis of more than forty contemporary plays, clearly tracing connections between politics and theater. Each chapter is preceded by a short introduction into the respective political topic, providing the framework for the study of drama as a political tool and making it easy for students to see the multiple ways in which plays respond to political change. This book will be of interest to students and scholars in drama and theater studies and German literature."--BOOK JACKET.

Series statement

1. Studies in German literature, linguistics, and culture

Uniform title

1. Studies in German literature, linguistics, and culture.

Subject

1. German drama > 20th century > History and criticism
2. Political plays, German > History and criticism

Owning institution

1. Columbia University Libraries

Bibliography (note)

1. Includes bibliographical references and index.