"This monograph [is] taken from the third chapter of my book, The Playwright's Purpose"--Preface Includes bibliographical references (pages 72-73).
Summary:
"An examination of the works of ten prominent 20th century playwrights: Henrik Ibsen, George Bernard Shaw, Eugene O'Neill, Federico Garia Lorca, Bertolt Brecht, Jean-Paul Sartre, Peter Weiss, John Osborne, Harold Pinter and Howard Barker, reveals that each clearly subscribed to a purpose beyond the construction of plot and character. They all strived in some way to exert some corrective influence on the spectator and his society ... If the playwright's purpose stems from his desire to transform the spectator and his society, what are the principal tools at his disposal to address this purpose? This monograph attempts to address this question."--Preface "This stirring monograph is about the means which playwrights who desire to create change in the world can implement their purpose. Lerner argues that the most potent tool to profoundly mobilize an audience is the catharsis, which he explores and redefines here in a revolutionary way, clarifying the basic Aristotelian principles as to how a playwright might create it."--Publisher's description
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