19th Century & Modern Drama: UGC NET English Guide
From Romantic idealism to Absurdist despair - master the dramatic revolutions of the 19th-20th centuries with play analyses, themes, and character studies
Introduction to 19th Century & Modern Drama
This period witnessed radical transformations from Romantic idealism to Modernist fragmentation, reflecting industrialization, world wars, and existential crises. Essential for 4-6 UGC NET questions.
Key Movements & Their Features
Romantic Drama
Emotional intensity, supernatural elements (Shelley's The Cenci)
Realist Drama
Middle-class domesticity, social issues (Ibsen's A Doll's House)
Naturalist Drama
Scientific determinism, heredity (Strindberg's Miss Julie)
Symbolist Drama
Mysticism, poetic language (Maeterlinck's The Blue Bird)
Expressionist Drama
Distorted reality, inner psyche (Kaiser's From Morn to Midnight)
Theatre of the Absurd
Illogicality, existential despair (Beckett's Waiting for Godot)
19th Century Drama
Context: Norwegian playwright who revolutionized drama with psychological depth and social criticism.
- A Doll's House (1879)
- Themes: Gender roles, marriage as institution, individual vs. society
- Characters: Nora Helmer (protagonist who leaves family), Torvald (patronizing husband), Krogstad (blackmailer)
- Key Scene: Nora's slamming door finale
- Hedda Gabler (1890)
- Themes: Female frustration, power through destruction
- Characters: Hedda (complex anti-heroine), Lovborg (writer), Judge Brack (manipulator)
- Ghosts (1881) - Controversial play about syphilis and inherited sin
- The Wild Duck (1884) - Tragicomedy about destructive idealism
Context: Russian physician who pioneered tragicomedy of inaction.
- The Cherry Orchard (1904)
- Themes: Social change, memory vs. progress
- Characters: Ranevskaya (nostalgic aristocrat), Lopakhin (nouveau riche merchant)
- Symbol: Cherry orchard as old Russia
- The Seagull (1896)
- Themes: Artistic failure, unrequited love
- Characters: Treplev (experimental playwright), Arkadina (vain actress), Nina (aspiring actress)
- Uncle Vanya (1899) - Study of wasted lives
- Three Sisters (1901) - Longing for Moscow as existential metaphor
Context: Irish playwright who combined social criticism with wit.
- Pygmalion (1913)
- Themes: Class mobility, gender roles, language as social marker
- Characters: Eliza Doolittle (flower girl), Henry Higgins (phonetics professor)
- Adaptation: Basis for My Fair Lady
- Mrs. Warren's Profession (1893) - Controversial play about prostitution
- Man and Superman (1903) - Philosophical comedy with "Don Juan in Hell" dream sequence
Modern Drama (20th Century)
Context: Swedish playwright who explored psychological and gender warfare.
- Miss Julie (1888)
- Themes: Class conflict, sexual politics, Darwinian struggle
- Characters: Julie (aristocratic woman), Jean (ambitious valet)
- Style: Naturalistic tragedy
- The Ghost Sonata (1907) - Chamber play with dream logic
Context: German Marxist who developed "alienation effect" to prevent emotional identification.
- The Threepenny Opera (1928)
- Themes: Capitalism as organized crime
- Characters: Macheath (criminal hero), Polly Peachum
- Famous Song: "Mack the Knife"
- Mother Courage and Her Children (1939) - Anti-war play
Context: Irish avant-garde writer exploring post-war existentialism.
- Waiting for Godot (1953)
- Themes: Meaninglessness of existence, human perseverance
- Characters: Vladimir & Estragon (tramps), Pozzo & Lucky (master/slave)
- Famous Line: "Nothing happens, nobody comes, nobody goes, it's awful!"
- Endgame (1957) - Post-apocalyptic minimalism
Context: American playwright exploring fragile psyches and societal outcasts.
- A Streetcar Named Desire (1947)
- Themes: Illusion vs. reality, sexual violence, fading aristocracy
- Characters: Blanche DuBois (fragile Southern belle), Stanley Kowalski (brutal working-class)
- Symbol: "The Kowalskis and the DuBoises don't mix"
- The Glass Menagerie (1944) - Memory play with Laura's glass unicorn
Comparative Analysis
Ibsen vs. Chekhov
| Aspect | Ibsen | Chekhov |
|---|---|---|
| Plot | Well-made plays with climaxes | "Plotless" slices of life |
| Dialogue | Explicit confrontations | Subtextual, indirect |
| Endings | Dramatic (Nora's exit) | Ambiguous (gunshot in Cherry Orchard) |
Realism vs. Absurdism
- Realism (Ibsen): Cause-effect logic, recognizable settings, social critique
- Absurdism (Beckett): Illogical structure, cyclical time, metaphysical questions
UGC NET Preparation
Important Questions
- Analyze Nora's transformation in A Doll's House
- Compare Chekhov's and Ibsen's treatment of women
- Discuss the significance of the cherry orchard as symbol
- How does Beckett dramatize existential themes in Waiting for Godot?
- Analyze Brecht's alienation effect with examples
- Compare realism in Shaw and Ibsen
- Discuss Williams' use of Southern Gothic elements
Memory Aids
Ibsen's Innovations
Problem plays, modern tragedy, feminist themes
Chekhov's Techniques
Subtext, indirect action, ensemble casts
Brechtian Devices
Alienation effect, placards, songs
Absurdist Features
Circular structure, meaningless dialogue
🚨 UGC NET ALERT!
For any specific content reach out us on Instagram and Master it !
Join Telegram channel for instant updates
All the best for UGC NET june 2025
