  Drama
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DRAMA IS:
1. The Greek word for "action."
2. A real situtation or succession of events having the dramatic progression or emotional content of a play.
My last newsletter gave a brief overlook of playwriting. In this newsletter I take a look at Henrik Ibsen, and his play, "The Doll House." For a wonderful example of abbrevations in playwriting, check out my editor's choice: "The Man in the Green Trench Coat." |
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I'll be honest here, this newsletter snuck up on me, but is the start of the new year and I thought I'd take a look at a man considered the "father of modern drama," Henrik Ibsen, and his play, "The Doll House." I chose this play because I remember reading it in high school. One of the things I remembered about reading it that first time all those years ago, was the fact it was easy to read and understand, unlike Shakespeare. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Shakespeare, and I enjoyed reading "Romeo & Juliet," and "MacBeth," but "A Doll's House," to me at the time, was much easier to grasp. Let's take a look at...
A Doll's House
 THE PLAY
The play was written by Ibsen while he was in Italy. It was published on 4 December 1879. "A Doll's House," was first performed in Copehagen, 21 December 1879. It was considered controversial at the time because it took a hard look at 19th Century marriage norms.
THE PLOT
The play begins on Christmas Eve. Nora is married to Torvald, who pampers and spoils her - treating her more like a "doll" than a wife. In the opening, Nora confides to her friend, Christine, that she has been earning her own money by copying papers. Torvald does not know this.
A man who has loaned Nora money, Krogstad, threatens to expose Nora to her husband. Krogstad works at Torvald's bank and is about to get fired. Nora tries to put in a good word for Krogstad but Torvald fires him anyway. Krogstad, upset, puts a note in mailbox for Torvald to read, exposing Nora's deception. Nora confides Krogstad's behavior to Christine. Christine talks to Krogstad about it.
Torvald delays reading the letter, but when he returns from their party, he learns of Nora's deception. Torvald calls his wife dishonest and unfit to raise their children. He tells her they will have a marriage in name only for the sake of the children. Then a maid walks in with another letter Krogstad rescinding his blackmail threat. Torvald immediately apologizes and believes they can have a marriage again.
Nora realizes Torvald doesn't know her and she doesn't know him. The play ends with Nora walking out on her husband.
INTERESTING NOTES
This was a scandalous topic in 1880's Europe. The play was originally banded in Britian. Under pressure, Ibsen wrote an alternate ending where Nora stayed out of a sense of responsibility to the children. He came to regret it. In most productions today, Ibsen's original ending, with Nora leaving, is preformed.
The play takes place in one room and Nora never leaves it. This adds to the feeling that she is living in "a doll house."
THE AUTHOR
Ibsen was born in March 1828 to a well off merchant in the port town of Skien, Norway. Shortly after his birth, his family's fortune fell and his father grew seriously depressed. Because of this, characters in his plays often deal with financial and moral conflicts.
In 1846 he fathered an child with a maid who he left. In 1858 his married Suzannah Thoresen. They had one child. He then spent twenty-seven years in Italy in a self-imposed exile, honing the craft of playwriting. His play, "Brand," written in 1865 brought him critical and financial success. "The Wild Duck," written in 1885 was considered his finest work. He died in 1906 after a series of strokes.
Ibsen's plays are known for his masterful use of irony and he's considered the father of modern drama because he elevated plays from an entertainment forum to a forum that exposed modern social problems.
EDITOR'S CHALLENGE
My challenge from the last newsletter still stands. Write a short play and submit it to the drama newsletter. Outstanding entries will receive merit badges.
The following are a list of reference links for this newsletter:
http://www.enotes.com/dollshouse/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Doll's_House
http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/dollshouse/about.html
http://www.mala.bc.ca/~johnstoi/introser/ibsen.htm
An Update on the Writer's Strike
The Writer's Guild of America has been on strike since 5 November 2007. They've been on strike against Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. (Since David Letterman OWNS his own Production Company, he was able to strike a deal with the writers for his show.)
The issues over the strike: The writers want residuals for DVDs and for "new" media, i.e., use of their written product on the Internet. As it stands right now, the WGA and the Producers aren't even in negotations. A lot of our favorite TV dramas could come grinding to a halt very soon. Desperate Housewives have already taped their last episode.
If you want more information on the Strike visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Writers_Guild_of_America_strike |
Here are some great stories told in the "Script/Play" format.
| |  | The truth of today (E)
6 characters all breaking the law not out of spite because it's their only way of survival
#1240306 by hana  |
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#1223648 by Not Available. |
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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Here's some feedback about my last letter on "Playwriting."
April Sunday
You know, Steph, when someone throws out a challenge and my present desk (or mind) is empty of a project ... (well my mind is kinda empty as it is. Haha.) I think maybe to try this play thing. But the problem is I never wrote a play. So let's see .. Romance, Valentine's Day and impressive dialogue ... oh boy! Hey HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Give it a shot. I think I just might tackle it myself!
pooja_sr
Hi Steph,
Thanks for the newsletter. I'm very new to playwriting and would like to try out your challenge. Is there a specific length for a one act play? Thanks!
:)Pooja.
There is no set length like it HAS TO BE 10 pages, but the guidance is keep a one act play around 30 minutes. Looking forward to your entry.
Any thoughts "A Doll's House?" I'd love to hear them. Steph
SantaBee is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her story, "Red Paint, Crimson Blood," was an honorable mention winner in the 76th Writer's Digest Contest in Genre Fiction. Her book, "The Wolf's Torment," is available on Amazon.com.
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Drama: January 09, 2008 Issue [#2156]
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