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BGSU_Dissertations_0105_Higgins.pdf (6.98 MB)

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Existential Valuation in Five Contemporary Plays

Higgins, David M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1555931250425868

Abstract Details

1971, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, English.
The purpose of this study was to examine the problems and consequences of existential valuation, as dramatized in five contemporary plays: Jean Genet's The Balcony, Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, Harold Pinter's The Homecoming, Arthur Miller's The Price and Edward Albee's Box-Mao-Box. The criticism extant on the plays, as well as relevant studies in philosophy, psychology, sociology, and aesthetics were examined and drawn upon when appropriate. In the sections on The Balcony and Waiting for Godot, which centered upon the problem of "being and non-being," it was found that the assumption of roles-the masks of art and existence-resulted in a certain type of beauty, and alleviated existential suffering; but the roles were illusory, moribund, and difficult to sustain. The contrary mode of non­ being--synchronization with the reality of the void--was seen on the other hand, to be impossible to achieve. The characters thus vacillated in a middle ground between being and non-being, unable to immerse themselves entirely in either. In the section on The Homecoming, which centered upon mind-body dissociation, it was found that the unity, surety and metaphysical structure suggested by the honorific term "home," were illusory. In the section on The Price, which centered upon a conflict of extremist points of view regarding guilt and innocence, responsibility and self-affirmation, doubt and belief, martyrdom and murder, and so on, it was found that the character representing synthesis was wisest, most complete, and most dramatic in the play. In the section on Box-Mao-Box, which centered upon the relationship between internal and external dissociation, it was found that spiritual death and societal fragmentation could be avoided through a mythic-ritualized integration of form and freedom on the various levels on which such a dialectical relationship was seen to be immanent.
Lester E. Barber (Advisor)
Literature; Theater

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Higgins, D. M. (1971). Existential Valuation in Five Contemporary Plays [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1555931250425868

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Higgins, David. Existential Valuation in Five Contemporary Plays. 1971. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1555931250425868.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Higgins, David. "Existential Valuation in Five Contemporary Plays." Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 1971. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1555931250425868

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1555931250425868
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