Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Research Journal of English Language and Literature (RJELAL), cilt.10, sa.2, 2022 (Hakemli Dergi)
For the readers of classical dramas,
it would not be very surprising to come across with very supernatural elements
which, in fact, built the core skeleton of such works. The focal attention of
the classical dramas was mainly upon the violation of sacred codes of behavior
in which there was no room for the appearance of impersonal relations or social
significations. However, in the course of time, modern dramas, specifically
American tragedies, shifted the focus of plays to everyday issues through which
readers could sense the very similar experiences in their lives as depicted in
these works. No longer these works deal with the farfetched themes which overwhelmed the classical
works of art.
The present article
is a short comparative analysis of Arthur Miller’s
All My Sons and Eugene O’Neill’s Mourning Becomes Electra in terms of their
thematic levels in order to delineate the way they treat a
few of the
widespread issues of the twenty-first century America.
By analyzing the thematic aspects of these works, the important role of
expressionistic elements in showing the worldly issues of American individuals
as well as nuclear families is made bare.
Consequently, this study sheds light
on the systematic movement in the grip of drama from
the sacred Gods-individual relations and themes to the social and family
problems. In conclusion, it is also shown that the modern American drama has
very unique characteristics the parallels of which are very rare to be found in
other literary traditions.