Harold Pinter, Edward Albee and LeRoi Jones: Their Ideas of the Absurd
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Date
2009-03
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Mouloud MAMMERI University of Tizi-Ouzou
Abstract
This present research paper has explored the Theatre of the Absurd in two communities as
represented by three dramatists, Harold Pinter from England and Edward Albee and LeRoi Jones
from the United States of America. What is sought is the analysis of the absurdist aspects of their
plays and their worlds. My dissertation fell into four-chapters. In the first chapter, I have singled out
the principal aspects of the philosophy of the Absurd and the Theatre of the Absurd. The emphasis
was put on the aspects that are applicable on the plays under study: Pinter‟s The Caretaker, Albee‟s
The Zoo Story and Jones‟s Dutchman. In the second chapter, I have focused in particular on the
study of the main themes, characters, as well as language in Pinter‟s The Caretaker. His message,
which consists in showing the absurdity of his characters‟ existence, is transmitted through different
techniques. I have followed the same method in the third chapter, where I have studied Albee‟s The
Zoo Story. Albee‟s aim is to convince people that our indifference and alienation results in the fact
that our behaviour is analogous to that of animals inside a zoo. The last chapter of this simple work
is devoted to the analysis of Jones‟s Dutchman. The latter exposes the absurd behaviour and revolt
of a black American in front of his oppressor. His confrontation to his condition results in his death.
Consequently, the main character represents any oppressed man on earth, and so his death is a
sacrifice meant to motivate his fellowmen. The four chapters are followed by a general conclusion
that summarizes the universal or international aspects of the philosophy and the Theatre of the
Absurd explored in the three plays. I concluded by saying that although Pinter, Albee, and Baraka
represent two or three different communities, their works show similar situations of real characters
who behave in an absurd way. Finally, I closed by saying that the three dramatists share universal
themes and characters in their drama, and that these characters are just samples that can exist in any
society in the world.
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