Tragedy in the Contemporary American Theatre

This book examines plays by contemporary playwrights and compares them alongside the works of Eugene O’Neill, Arthur Miller, and Tennessee Williams. Andreach argues that tragedy is not only present in contemporary American theatre, but issues from an expectation fundamental to American culture: the pressure on characters to create themselves.

The late Robert J. Andreach lived in New Jersey.

Introduction: Questioning Tragedy's Vitality and Relevance Chapter One: Isolation and Loss of Life Chapter Two: Loss of Hope and Suffering Chapter Three: Eugene O'Neill Chapter Four: Arthur Miller Chapter Five: Tennessee Williams Chapter Six: More Contemporary Tragedy Conclusion: Questing for Tragedy's Vitality and Relevance Notes Index