Drama-Playwrights 2011-2012 1.

Albert Camus (1913-1960) Background: -poverty in Algeria (North Africa) -mother-illiterate -moved in with paralyzed uncle -PAIN! Philosophy/Style: - left-winger (rebel) - hatred of intolerance, arrogance, & racism -was an atheist, but said mankind is sacred Influences/Mentors: tutor at school Movement: Existentialist & absurdist-man is alone Themes: - desire for human understanding - life is fragile Famous Plays: 1)The Stranger 2) Cross-Purposes 3) Caligula 4)The Just Assassins Famous Book: The Plague Famous Quotes: - Man is larger than one person! - In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. Other: -had tuberculosis -lived through both world wars -moved to Paris in 1940 -was an activist for French working class-1944 -rejected Marxism -died in 1960 in car accident in France 2. Jean-Paul Sarte (1905-1080) Background: -born: June 21, 1905 in France -father: officer in French navy -as a small child, children rejected him because he was crosseyed Philosophy/Style: Movement: Existentialist Themes: Famous Plays: Dirty Hands and No Exit Famous Quotes: -Hell is other people.- No Exit

-Life begins on the other side of despair. -If youre lonely when you are alone, you are in bad company! Other: -fought with French resistance *if you were in Europe during WW2, prob affected your mental health -died of lung tumor

3. William Saroyan (1908-1981) Background: -parents: Preacher & poet -Armenian immigrant -grew up in Fresno, California -sent to orphanage -in 1921, attended technical school to learn to type; at age 15, left the school to become writer Philosophy/Style: -celebrates optimism during struggles of Depression Influences: George Bernard Shaw Movement: Themes: Famous Plays: 1) The Time of Your Life (*didnt take prize for it; Art should not have awards.) 2) Hello Out There Famous Book: The Human Comedy Famous Quotes: - The writer who is a writer is a rebel who never stops. - It takes a lot of rehearsing for a man to be himself. - The writer is a spiritual anarchist, as in the depth of his soul every man is. He is discontented with everything and everybody. -Try to learn to breathe deeply; really to taste food when you eat, and when you sleep really sleep. Try as much as possible to be wholly alive with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell. Other: -alcoholic and gambler -met Shaw on travels through Soviet Union & Europe -married, had 2 children with(Aram&Lucy), & then divorced Carol Marcus after he found out she was Jewish & a bastard child; then remarried her again and divorced her again!

4. Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) Background: -born in Norway -family lost money father became alcoholic Influences: the Bible & Norwegian history

Movement: Father of REALISM Themes: -moral conflict stemming from dark secrets -financial ruin -honesty & facing facts=recipe for good life -human society is corrupt manipulator that must be brought to light Famous Plays: *too many 1) The Doll House 2) Hedda Gabler 3) Ghosts Other: -had affair with servant & had illegitimate child