The Hairy Ape as an Expressionist Play
Learn Further ▾ Background Plot Summary Themes Quotes Character Analysis Symbolism Motifs Q&As As Modern Tragedy As Expressionist Play As Social Satire Alienation & identity Expressionism, as a dramatic technique, enables playwrights to delve into the depths of the human psyche and depict the inner reality of their characters. It shifts the focus from external events to the internal world, freely traversing space and time to align with the characters' thought processes. The emphasis lies on the exploration of the subconscious, internalizing the action and giving precedence to the inner workings of the soul over external events. Rather than presenting a linear sequence of events, expressionism concentrates on the stream of consciousness, portraying life's surface as disjointed and dreamlike, revealing the hidden reality beneath. The method aligns closely with the complexities of human thought. In contrast to realistic plays, where speech and action provide glimpses into the mind, exp…