The play by Leroi Jones, Great Goodness of Life, is considered a revolutionary play. It is worth reminding that the revolutionary theater has a purpose of teaching the white society as well as their black brothers about the reality of their existence. The Revolutionary Theatre must teach them their deaths .
In this play, Leroi Jones is attacking the African Americans who are not aware of the cause they should fight for. Court Royal is a black man who is well fitted inside the American society, working at the post office for thirty-five years. Suddenly he is accused of harboring a criminal.
At the beginning of the play, we believe that he is being accused wrongly just because he is black, and then hated by the society. There are even hooded men judging and ill-treating him, which makes us remind of the members of the Ku Klux Klan.
However, the play makes a turn, and we get to know that Court Royal is the criminal himself as he has neglected for many years his family . As he sees images of Malcom. Patrice. Rev. King. Garvey. Dead nigger kids being killed by the police. Medgar Evers. He says: Oh, son son dear God, my flesh, forgive me My sons. This is when he becomes aware of how he indeed has helped killing his brothers by not helping them in their fight. Symbolically, he must kill a member of his family, which means to kill a shadow of his past. With this rite, he will be brought back to his natural reality .
This play fits perfectly in what the revolutionary Theater manifesto preaches.
]
The Revolutionary Theatre must take dreams and give them a reality. It must isolate the ritual and historical cycles of reality. ( ) Americans will hate the revolutionary theatre because it will be out to destroy them and whatever they believe is real. Our theatre will show victims so that their brothers in the audience will be better able to understand that they are the brothers of victims, and that they themselves are victims, if they are blood brothers. And what we show must cause the blood to rush, so that pre-revolutionary temperaments will be bathed in this blood, and it will cause their deepest souls to move, ( ) We will scream and cry, murder, run through the streets in agony, if it means some soul will be moved, moved to actual life understanding of what the world is, and what it ought to be.
With this we can say that we see in this play a revolutionary theater inside a revolutionary theater. In the play, Court Royal is moved by what was shown to him during the rite. And what is a rite if not a play? He learned what the revolutionary playwrights want the audience to learn. So, Leroi Jones fulfilled his expectations by teaching two souls: Court Royal s and the audience s. The audience learned through the play, while Court Royal learned through the rite.
Bibliographical References:
Jones, Leroi. Four Black Revolutionary Plays Great Goodness of Life.
Jones, Leroi. The Revolutionary Theater. 1965 found at umich.edu/ eng499/documents/baraka1.html
Другие работы по теме:
The Great Gatsby Essay Research Paper Expository
The Great Gatsby Essay, Research Paper Expository Paragraph Characterization Point to be proved: Jay Gatsby is a very determined individual. He is very determined to get Daisy Buchanan back into his life.
The Star Essay Research Paper In Great
The Star Essay, Research Paper In Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, light is used symbolically through the example of Estella. Miss Havisham brings Estella up in the darkness, consequently sheltering her from the true
Fungi The Great Decomposers Essay Research
Paper Fungi: The Great Decomposers Although fungi are over looked in the commerical asspect of the world, they play a great rool in the web of life. In the fungi kingdom there are over 175,00
Socrates Essay Research Paper Socrates believed in
Socrates Essay, Research Paper Socrates believed in speaking the truth. In his speeches, his true character is revealed. He is an individual, who lived only to spread knowledge. Socrates was humble, knowing that he was no wiser than anyone. In not recording his knowledge, he was able to devote more time to thought.
Kant Goodness Essay Research Paper Kant Goodness
Kant: Goodness Essay, Research Paper Kant: Goodness The philosopher I used is Immanuel Kant. He was very practical in his thinking of goodness. A quote of his was “I ought, therefore I can”. His view
Life Essay Research Paper You have been
Life Essay, Research Paper You have been ready to move on for quite some time But maybe not so ready to let go Of all that you know (Your friends, your family, and all the sweet memories)
The Hobbit Essay Research Paper As the
The Hobbit Essay, Research Paper As the book, The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien begins to conclude, Thorin Oakenshield sees the goodness in Bilbo Baggins and apprehends the most significant parts of life. Since the beginning,
Beowolf And Grendel Essay Research Paper Apart
Beowolf And Grendel Essay, Research Paper Apart from Wealth, Honor, and Paganistic vs. Biblical themes and motifs, character is also shown through a certain Man vs. Wild motif. This motif shows
Theme Of Power In Lord Of The
Flies Essay, Research Paper God of love, God of justice, God of equality, God of goodness. God, help us to be everything you are. Give us the strength to believe in you and all you goodness. In the world we live in today it is hard to model our life in your greatness. Evil lurks everywhere, your light will guide us through it to salvation.
Heroism In Beowulf Essay Research Paper There
Heroism In Beowulf Essay, Research Paper There are many traits that are possessed by those who seek heroism. Whether it is in real life or in fiction, every hero desires these character traits in the past, present, and future. IN my opinion, the two traits that are most prominent in the poem Beowulf are bravery and goodness.
Evil Is The Nature Of Mankind Essay
, Research Paper “Evil is the nature of mankind” Every man, at a time in his life, is born knowing evil. Evil constitutes the actions and consequences resorted to man. Men, using their natural instincts, are evil by heart but are taught otherwise. The nurturing love and discipline of others transforms evil men into the pure souls they are.
Blah Essay Research Paper Beowulf and His
Blah Essay, Research Paper Beowulf and His Great Qualities The story of Beowulf describes a man who has many great qualities. He is known as a true hero, having risked his own life to save those in danger. He has superior physical strength and is highly moral. However, at times, he is a bit foolish.
Divine Command Theory Essay Research Paper The
Divine Command Theory Essay, Research Paper The Divine Command Theory Religion and ethics are seen to be somehow inseparable in our culture. Religious leaders are usually appealed to in some capacity when
Strickland S Great Art Has Justified His
Dest Essay, Research Paper Strickland s great art has justified his destructive and despicable life Nowadays we cannot expect everyone to be nice to others to consider him a worthy human being. Everyone has his own way of serving humanity. The way Strickland did this was through his art. Unfortunately his great art was not utterly recognised until after his death and therefore his life was sometimes considered inhuman and destructive.
Religion Mencius Essay Research Paper The Eastern
Religion: Mencius Essay, Research Paper The Eastern religions often focus on the human nature and condition. And such was the case for Mencius. Mencius devoted himself to expanding and elaborating Confucius? previous notion of human nature. Since the Eastern religions did not focus on a Wholly Other, and rather the here-and-now, such spiritual matters had to be related in a more tangible means.
Quotes About Life Essay Research Paper Quotes
Quotes About Life Essay, Research Paper Quotes About Life “The answers to life s problems aren t at the bottom of a bottle: they re on TV!” Homer Simpson “It s a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.”
Beowulf Good Vs Evil Analysis Essay Research
Paper Beowulf the great Anglo-Saxon epic, which was composed around the year 700, presents readers with a glimpse into the life of Anglo-Saxons. Beowulf, written in poetic form, was translated by Burton Raffel. The tone of the epic is somber and relates the achievements of the hero Beowulf. This epic poem displays many contrast between good and evil.
Great Expectations Morals Essay Research Paper Morals
Great Expectations- Morals Essay, Research Paper Morals play an important part in everyday life. Morals are lessons taught by exhibiting goodness or correctness of character and behavior. I believe that the purpose for Pip to tell his story of Great Expectations was for it to be used as a moral guide for people to follow.
Great Gatsby Symbols Essay Research Paper Different
Great Gatsby Symbols Essay, Research Paper Different symbolism The Great Gatsby is enhanced by the great number of symbols in the story. The story is revolved around symbols which represent different things. There are three types of symbols color, object, name symbols. Each symbol represents a different kind of situation in the story.
The Theme Of Goodness In To Kill
A Mockingbird Essay, Research Paper The Theme of Goodness in To Kill a Mockingbird What is goodness? The American Heritage Dictionary defines goodness as ?the state or quality of being good?. In Harper Lee?s novel To Kill a Mocking Bird goodness is a significant theme. This theme brings out the sense of optimism and thoughtfulness in the book.
Five Teachings Of Jesus Essay Research Paper
The five of the teachi8ngs of Jesus are the following: Be Merciful (Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:7, Forgiveness (Luke6: 37), Seek Goodness (Luke 6:45), Respect Others (Luke 14:11), and Be Kind (Luke 6:31).
Lacquer Screen Essay Essay Research Paper Confucianism
Lacquer Screen Essay Essay, Research Paper Confucianism was one of the most influential of the four Great Traditions in ancient China. However, it did not become such a big way of life until after Confucius death, as he only had a small number of disciples following him during his lifetime. Confucianism stressed the importance of some of the greatest virtues of life, including filial piety, Jen, Chi, Yung, and Li, as these represented devotion to the parents, benevolence, wisdom, moral courage, and ritual, and were the keys to achieving moral goodness.
Real Heroes Essay Research Paper Real HeroesWhat
Real Heroes Essay, Research Paper Real Heroes What is a hero? Who can be considered as a hero? According to the dictionary ‘hero’ is defined as: 1. a person remembered or admired for (an act of) bravery, strength, or goodness; 2. the most important character in a play, poem, story, etc. In our real life or in history, most of the heroism always involves violence.
Jesus Essay Research Paper JesusJesus is the
Jesus Essay, Research Paper Jesus Jesus is the center of Christianity, born in Bethlehem in Judea. To believers Jesus is the son of Mary. He is the son of God. Jesus was divine but led an
Great Expectations Essay Research Paper In the
Great Expectations Essay, Research Paper In the novel Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, many characters have a great influence on Pip’s life. The characters that affect him most are Magwitch, Pip’s benefactor, Estella, whom Pip adores, and Joe, Pip’s best friend throughout the novel. Some of the people in Pip?s life, unfortunately, drew him away from the fact that social status does not matter as long as you have a good heart inside.
Great Expectations Essay Research Paper Great Expectations
Great Expectations Essay, Research Paper Great Expectations involves many characters but Joe Gargery is one of the few that has the trait of humbleness he was always giving compliment but never taking them. Maybe his compliments were not noticed but they were given, in a way that only Joe could give them, quietly.
Life Is Like Essay Research Paper Life
Life Is Like Essay, Research Paper Life is like a car. When it?s new, it usually works all right. As time drives by, it breaks down and needs repairs. Life is like a leaf. In its youth, it
Great Expectations Essay Research Paper Great ExpectationsWhat
Great Expectations Essay, Research Paper Great Expectations What are your expectations in life? Are yours similar to anyone else? In Great Expectations by Charles Dickens the main character Pip has many expectations. By reading this book I have found that Pip and I have many similar and different expectations in life.
Truth And Belief Essay Research Paper Truth
Truth And Belief Essay, Research Paper Truth and Belief James is a believer in the pragmatic theory of truth. He draws a relationship between the good and the true. The true is not an separate entity from good, but is one of the species of good.
Louis Xvi Essay Research Paper Bertrand
Louis Xvi Essay, Research Paper Bertrand, Louis, LouisXVI , New York: Longmans, Green and Co, 1928, 355pp. The reign of Louis XVI as described in this wonderful pice of literature, is glorified as being one of the few great ages in the history of western man. During his rule, the French culture achieved a perfection that was formerly unknown.