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Setting in Drama
Setting in drama refers to the time, place, and social environment in which the events of a play unfold. It encompasses not only the physical location (like a castle or a city street) but also the historical period, the prevailing social customs, the cultural atmosphere, and even the specific time of day or year. Essentially,…
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Unities of Time, Place, and Action
The classical dramatic unities, often attributed to Aristotle, though significantly refined and rigidified by later Renaissance critics, represent a cornerstone in the theory of tragedy. These “unities” — specifically of Time, Place, and Action— were conceived as principles to ensure the coherence, plausibility, and emotional impact of a dramatic performance. For professors of English Literature…
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The Theatre of the Absurd
The Theatre of the Absurd, a term coined by the critic Martin Esslin in his seminal 1961 work The Theatre of the Absurd, denotes a distinct dramatic movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily in Europe. This theatrical form reflects the philosophical tenets of existentialism, particularly the notion of humanity’s inherent isolation and the meaninglessness…
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Literature of Precarity: A Detailed Introduction
1. Introduction: Understanding “Precarity” The word precarity comes from the Latin word precarius, which means “depending on the will of another.” In modern usage, precarity describes a condition of life filled with uncertainty, insecurity, and instability. It is often used to talk about people who live without steady jobs, homes, or safety — those who are vulnerable to…
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Understanding Literary Criticism
Literary criticism is the art of reading, understanding, interpreting, and talking about literature. It is the process through which people try to understand the deeper meaning of a poem, story, play, or novel. When we read a book, we may enjoy the story, the characters, or the language. But literary criticism goes further. It asks…
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Environmental Humanities in India
Environmental Humanities is an interdisciplinary academic field that brings together insights from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to explore and understand environmental issues. In India, Environmental Humanities has gained prominence as scholars, writers, and activists grapple with the complex interconnections between humans and their environments, focusing on ethical, cultural, historical, literary, philosophical, and…
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Ecological Uncanny
The “Ecological Uncanny” is a particularly insightful and evolving concept within the environmental humanities, drawing upon psychoanalytic theory to illuminate our complex relationship with the natural world in an era of unprecedented environmental change. At its core, the Ecological Uncanny can be defined as the sense of profound unease, defamiliarization, and even dread that arises from the recognition…
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Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal Dreams: A Short Summary
Barbara Kingsolver’s 1990 novel, Animal Dreams, presents a poignant and intricate narrative centred on Cosima “Codi” Noline’s reluctant return to her diminutive, isolated hometown of Grace, Arizona. Trained as a doctor but lacking the confidence to practice, Codi arrives adrift, seeking refuge after a failed relationship and a sense of pervasive aimlessness. She ostensibly returns to…
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Harold Pinter’s Betrayal and its 1983 Film Adaptation
Harold Pinter (1930-2008) stands as a monumental figure in English dramatic literature, his profound contributions recognized with the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2005 . His distinct theatrical style, often termed “Pinteresque,” is characterized by a sparse yet potent use of language, significant pauses that speak volumes, an underlying sense of menace, and a deep exploration…
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The Labyrinth of Deceit: An Analysis of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal
Harold Pinter, a towering figure in 20th-century English drama and a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2005, is renowned for his distinctive dramatic style. His plays are characterized by an economy of language, the potent use of pauses, an ever-present undercurrent of menace, and a profound exploration of themes such as power…
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Defining Horror, Action, and Adventure in Film Studies: Theories and Indian Perspectives
In the realm of Film Studies, the concept of genre serves as a fundamental framework for categorizing and analysing cinematic works. Genre, in this context, functions as a system of classification predicated on shared conventions that manifest across various aspects of filmmaking, including narrative structures, stylistic choices, thematic concerns, and recurring iconography . These conventions provide…
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Epic and Musical in Film Studies: A Theoretical and Contextual Examination with Indian Perspectives
The cinematic landscape is rich with genres that evoke distinct audience expectations and experiences. Among these, the ‘epic’ and the ‘musical’ stand out as forms capable of delivering grand narratives and heightened emotional expression, respectively. This note aims to define and explore the intersection of these two genres within the field of Film Studies, delving…
Literary Latitude 