American Realism and American Drama, 1880–1940

The importance of native American realism is traced through a study of the evolution of dramatic theory from the early 1890s through World War I and the uniquely American innovations in realistic drama between world wars.

Preface; Acknowledgments; 1. The state of the art: the american theatrical scene in the 1880s; 2. Realistic dramatic theory; 3. The literary realists as playwrights; 4. The transition: american realistic drama in the commercial theater, 1890–1915; 5. The cutting edge: Eugene O’Neill’s realism, 1913–1933; 6. Place and personality: innovations in realistic setting and character, 1916–1940; 7. The final integration: innovations in realistic thought and structure, 1916–1940; Notes; Selected bibliography; Index.