"All the world's a stage…": Lanford Wilson's Mirroring of the Contemporary U.S.

Authors

  • Ria Snellinx Author

Keywords:

Lanford Wilson, family, postwar America, identity, theatre, contemporary American society

Abstract

This article analyzes the works of Lanford Wilson, one of the most renowned contemporary American playwrights, focusing on his sociological reflections of post-war United States society. The paper explores how Wilson's plays mirror the 'comédie humaine' of America, depicting characters from various social strata and addressing themes such as loss, rootlessness, and moral decay. The author contends that Wilson's works are deeply rooted in American civilization and heritage, offering critical insights into contemporary socio-cultural problems. This study examines Wilson's portrayal of family dynamics, particularly through the Talley family chronicles, highlighting how familial support systems influence individual coping mechanisms. The article demonstrates the significance of Wilson's theatre in reflecting societal issues, emphasizing its role in fostering a better understanding of post-war American life.

 

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)",

References

Snellinx, Ria. Personal interview. 29 October 1993.

Wilson, Lanford. Fifth of July. New York: Hill and Wang, 1979.

---. Lemon Sky. New York: Dramatist's Play Service, 1970.

---. The Moonshot Tape. New York: Dramatist's Play Service, 1990.

---. Redwood Curtain. New York: Hill and Wang, 1993.

---.Talley &Son. New York: Hill and Wang, 1986.

---. Talley's Folly. New York: Hill and Wang, 1980.

---. The Great Nebula in Orion. New York: Dramatist's Play Service, 1973.

---. The Mound Builders. New York: Hill and Wang, 1976.

---. Serenading Louie. New York: Hill and Wang, 1985.

---. Angels Fall. . New York: Hill and Wang, 1983.

---. The Madness of Lady Bright. In Lanford Wilson 21 Short Plays. Smith and Kraus, 1993.

---. Burn This. New York: Hill and Wang, 1988.

---. Thymus Vulgaris. New York: Dramatist's Play Service, 1982.

---. The Rimers of Eldritch. New York: Hill and Wang, 1967.

---. Say De Kooning. Lanford Wilson 21 Short Plays. Smith and Kraus, 1993.

---. A Poster of the Cosmos. In Lanford Wilson 21 Short Plays. Smith and Kraus, 1993.

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Published

2001-04-01

Issue

Section

Research Articles

Categories

How to Cite

"All the world’s a stage…": Lanford Wilson’s Mirroring of the Contemporary U.S. (2001). Journal of American Studies of Turkey, 33-45. https://www.jast.org.tr/index.php/main/article/view/232