Ibsen's Echoes in Williams: Links Between "the Wild Duck" and "a Streetcar Named Desire"
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The article focuses on the renowned works of Henrik Ibsen and Tennessee Williams, specifically uncovering how Ibsen's influence reverberates through the narrative and character structures of Williams' work. The research, supported by scholarly literature, acknowledges the existing scholarly dialogue surrounding the relationship between 20th-century American drama and 19th-century European modernist drama. Through a comparative analysis, the study highlights the thematic parallels of life-lie, identity, and disillusionment that shape both plays, as well as the innovative techniques that enhance their psychological complexity. Beyond the direct comparison with 'Wild Duck,' the study reveals numerous common elements linking Williams' play to other Ibsenian works such as 'A Doll's House,' 'Hedda Gabler,' and 'Ghosts. By examining Williams' adaptation of Ibsenian motifs within an American cultural framework, this research provides new insights into the transatlantic legacy of modernist drama and its evolution in 20th-century American theater. The findings underscore the depth of Williams' indebtedness to Ibsen, revealing a sophisticated interplay of homage and reinvention that enriches our understanding of both playwrights' contributions to the genre. The analysis encompasses structural, thematic, and formal elements, providing a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the claims made by established scholars and supplementing these claims with concrete examples. Additionally, the research identifies areas and aspects that hold potential for future study.
Author: Beridze G.
Language: English
Subfield: Literature and Literary Theory
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6949379607
FWCI:
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: