Analysis and adaptation of the components of social realism in two plays "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller and "Hot Egg Tango" by Akbar Radi with emphasis on elements of character and content
Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Ph.D. in Persian Language and Literature, Payam Noor University, Iran
2 Associate Professor of Persian Language and Literature Payame Noor University of Tehran
Abstract
Social realism, as one of the important branches of the literary school of realism, is a way of showing the social problems of the society. Arthur Miller (1915-2005) in the United States and Akbar Radi (1318-1386/1939-2007) in Iran are two great playwrights in the school of realism, some of whose works, such as the two plays Miller's "Death of the Salesman" and Akbar Radi's "Hot Egg Tango" are included in social realism by reflecting on social problems, including the economy and its consequences and effects on the lives of the middle classes. In this article, in order to examine social realism in these two plays, the element of personality, as one of the components of realism, is comparatively analyzed and examined in order to reflect the economic problems in American society. And show Iran and its impact on different segments of the people.The final result of the present paper shows that the social problem of the economy, which in the play of the Death of the Salesman is a pandemic social crisis and in the play Hot Egg Tango is merely an economic poverty at the level of a family, It has led to the formation of personalities who, through their behavior and speech, have shown how they are affected by this economic problem. The death of the salesman, who, by paying homage to Willy Luhmann, sharply criticizes the morals of capitalist society and economic exploitation, is a more objective manifestation of social realism than hot egg tango.
Keywords
Problem Statement
Arthur Miller (1915-2005), a prominent American playwright, is a full-fledged realist writer; Because his works - especially his plays - have a deep connection to the social issues of American society.
The play "Death of a Salesman" (1949) is one of these social realist works. The work tells the story of the family life of an elderly salesman who has been devastated by US economic and capitalist policies.
Akbar Radi (1940-2008), the great contemporary playwright of Iran, is one of the writers who chose the style of realism and laid the foundation of his plays based on the most important social issues of his time.
Hot Egg Tango(1984) is one of the radio plays that deals with the social issues of its period in the style of realism, among the works of social realism. In this work, he portrays the life of an average Iranian family who are affected by unfavorable financial conditions, and the play begins with a financial crisis (asking for a rent deposit from the tenant) in the family.
The subject of the present study is the comparative analysis of the two plays "Hot Egg Tango" and "Death of a Salesman" from the perspective of social realism with emphasis on the element of personality and content; For this purpose, first the characters of the two works are analyzed and adapted; The social issues that have influenced these characters are then examined as the content of the works.
Research background
There is no doubt that Miller and Rady are two realist playwrights who have dealt extensively with social issues in their work; But so far their works have not been studied in terms of social realism. However, scholars have reflected on social issues in Rady and Miller's plays; But their work and research is not in the field of research of literary schools. Therefore, no book, treatise, article or research has been written about the comparative study of the two plays "Death of a Salesman" and "Hot Egg Tango".
Research Summary
The play "Death of a Salesman" seeks to represent the problems of American society in the Great Depression of the 1930s by telling the life story of an old salesman - who is no longer out of business because he is no longer as efficient as he used to be.
In the play "Hot Egg Tango", the author takes a fundamental look at the various aspects of the economic situation and its decisive and effective presence in the individual life of each family member, examining the characters and their attitudes and behavioral reactions to events.
In The Death of a Salesman, we encounter characters whose entire actions, behaviors, and lives are tied to the great issue of the economic crisis that has befallen American society. During this crisis and under its influence, Willy Luhmann - the main character of the play - is excluded from the circle of work and business as a burnt nut, and his life is dragged into the abyss of destruction.
The economic problems of the Moses family in the "Hot Egg Tango", related to the actions, behavior and thoughts of the family; These include the second marriage of Moses, the unemployment and deprivation of the second son of the family, and the irresponsibility of the characters in general.
Research Findings
Miller's characters seek to achieve their human rights in society, and all their troubles and problems are to achieve this goal; These personalities are grappling with the great economic, social and political problems of society; But radio characters do not have socially lost rights; Rather, they only deal with their economic and family issues.
Social realism is more objectively portrayed in The Death of a Salesman; However, this issue is also reflected in Rady's play due to the reflection of the problems and dilemmas of the middle class.
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Volume 1, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
April 2022Pages 169-191
- Receive Date: 30 September 2020
- Revise Date: 22 January 2021
- Accept Date: 29 May 2021