Literature has helped many understand development that transpires in the society either in the social, economic as well as the political sector and the impact that they have on the people at large. Literal elements are shown in different piece of work such as novels, plays, drama, and screenplays among others that many results in fiction and non-fictional works. The literal works entails application of several techniques and literal elements that make audiences of such literature comprehend with ease the various works such as displayed in several literal works produced by Henrik Ibsen and August Wilson among others. However, this paper analyses two immense literal works of two plays titled “Fences” by August Wilson and “A Doll's House” by Henrik Ibsen to show how themes are presented in both as a literal element.
There are many literal elements and techniques in the two plays by Ibsen and Wilson that make it easy for their work to be interpreted and analyzed by the audience such as plot, tone, and character among others. However, the literal element of the theme is well presented in the two pieces that enable the audience and followers of such plays create the picture and relate to the daily developments in the different environments that they experience such themes in life. A combination of other literal elements, hence, results in a quality piece of work and is encouraged to be used by analysts and lovers of literal works that result to exceptional pieces.
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The piece by August Wilson, Fences, presents several themes through the action by the various character and their relationship with each other. First, the theme of race is displayed. The set up of the work was in the 1950s when the American society still experienced challenges related to race and ethnic relations. For example, Troy who is among the main characters believes that he was not able to make it in the baseball game despite having great talent because of the race factors. The sport at the time was believed to be of the white race, and since Troy was an African- American, he found it difficult to use his talent and benefit him economically as he would have made good money. Troy, besides, discourages his son from playing football out of the fear that he experienced related to racial relations. He does not want his son to experienced what he underwent through during his teenage years as a result of racial relations that results in violent outcome when Troy son discovers that his dad had shared that with his coach. The scenario, thus, enables the theme of a race to be displayed in the piece enabling the audience of the play to understand how the situation was at the time as well as relate to the present incidences that show racism (August 2014). Secondly, the theme of family is also well displayed in the piece. It shows how Troy struggles to bring his family up as well as the challenges that he experienced while accomplishing the parental roles as well as the conflicts that resulted within the family set up such as that of a father and son, brother and wife. It, thus, enables the writers of the play present the theme of family and especially the family drama that shows conflict and alliances on various issues that affect the family. It enables readers and audiences of the play to relate to real family setups that they come from. Many families experience similar challenges where there exist conflicts, tension and drama in many issues that happen within the family set ups and, hence, it helps the audience to appreciate the work as it presents a real example of what many people experience throughout their life. Third, the theme of betrayal is also presented. The main actor Troy betrayed many people both within the family as well, as outside his immediate family. For example, Troy took Gabriel’s money without his consent and bought the house where he lives currently. The money was the compensation that Gabriel had got after being injured while serving the army. Troy also had other affairs outside his family that only came to be revealed after Alberta became pregnant. The betrayal themes are common in real life and the world and, hence, enables readers to relate to a life event and possibly remember the incidences in life that they have become victims of betrayal (Shannon 2003). Fourth, the theme of dream and hope is well presented. Troy, for example, had the dream of becoming a professional baseball player even though that dream was not realized. His son, Cory, also had the dream of becoming a professional footballer despite being betrayed by his father. The theme of hope and dream, therefore, is an important theme as many experiences the same. Almost everybody had dreams in life, and it is good to dream even though some hardly are realized. The audience of the piece, hence, can relate to the work and real life ambitions. The theme noted in work by August Wilson, thus, makes the literal piece a great work as the audience can relate to the piece in real life instances meeting the objective of great literal works.
On the other hand, the work by Henrik Ibsen, A Doll's House, presents many themes. First, the theme of marriage is shown in the piece (Wang, 2016). Marriage is an important matter in the current society that has continued to witness challenges leading to the highest number of divorces and separation cases. It is, thus, an important theme to include in literal works as it might help many refer and relate. It shows how the present marriages encounter challenges results in from empowered women in the society that try to change the norm from the ancient patriarchal societies. It is, hence, an important theme as many can see and relate to the everyday society that they issue challenges in the marriages. For example, Nora had to leave her husband as well as children and try to discover her freedom. Secondly, the theme of women and feminist issues arise and is well presented. Many incidences in the piece show the struggles that women are undergoing the processes of trying to uplift themselves as well as change the status quo in the society that men have dominated in many aspects including issues that are strictly feminine (Wheeler, 2011). Many women rights organization, as well as feminists' movement, have referenced the play and encourage women to watch it. The writer, also, has been recognized by such feminist movements and awarded that indicates the theme touched on real issues of life and in the society especially relating to the female gender. Thirdly, the theme of love is presented. Love is an important issue in life that many struggles to get, and it pains many when it is lost. Love that Nora had to her husband and family made her signs an illegal loan with the intention of trying to help the husband and the family at large. She risked her life and reputation for the family for the sake of love. However, she only finds it in the end that true love never existed especially from the husband and promoted here to quit and regret of having wasted here time in life. It indicates the love theme that many people can relate to and note and compare with what actions and measures they have taken to help their loved including sacrifices. Fourthly, the theme of men and masculinity is presented in the piece. Most societies are considered patriarchal where men’s thinking and ideologies have determined and dominated most of the decisions made either in the economic, political as well as social aspects. There is a great debate in the contemporary to change the status quo where social justice movements have increased in the recent times. They try to empower the women gender among other minority groups and end all discrimination based on gender among others (Moi, 2006). The piece, thus, presents the theme well. For example, through Torvald action as head of his house, he tries to control everything including an issue that is strictly feminine that Tora her wife needs to take care of. However, it is imperative to note that application of several literal elements such as theme, plot, character, setting and tone among others compliment each other enabling a particular element to be displayed well as noted in the example above from the work of Henrik Ibsen and August Wilson. For example, the setting has to be appropriate for a particular theme to be displayed well with ease.
In conclusion, the two literal works by Henrik Ibsen and August Wilson have incorporated many literal styles and techniques that have resulted in the great presentation of the themes in both pieces of work. Literal works have to touch and show on the societal developments that transpire each day or in common social setups in either the economic, social as well as the political contexts. The two piece shave shown that perfectly making them appreciated regarding literal perspectives. The combination strategies of literal elements thus are appreciated and encouraged that leads to such great literal works.
References
August, W. (2014). Fences: A Play. Lectorum Publications, Incorporated,
Moi, T. (2006). First and Foremost a Human Being": Idealism, Theatre, and Gender in "A Doll's House. Modern Drama , 49(3): 256-284.
Shannon, S. G. (2003). August Wilson's Fences: A Reference Guide . Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.
Wang, Q. (2016). Before Marriage, Within Marriage, and After Marriage—Kristine Linde in A DOLL HOUSE. Explicator, 74(2): 69-73.
Wheeler, D. (2011). To What Extent Is Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House" A Feminist Play? GRIN Verlag
