LArealism

In the theatre, realism serves as a glimpse into the life of the common man, the middle class, and the general population. Plays that exhibit realism reflect upon the daily lives of the public, and the actual issues in relationships, politics, and economics that normal people face everyday. It rejects fantasy and imagination and celebrates what is real and concrete.

Checkov's __The Cherry Orchard__ while slightly unrealistic in the exaggerated dialogue, still conveys the difficulties and complexities in familial relationships, especially during a time of crisis such as the threat of losing property. The costumes and the scenery resemble the clothes and houses of the time, contributing to the factor of realism within the play, which makes the audience feel as if it is watching the lives of the characters actually play out in front of them. The two women also gossip like normal people tend to do, making the topics of the dialogue itself realistic, regardless of the flamboyant deliveries of lines.

In contrast with Checkov's style, the dialogue in Ibsen's __Hedda Gabler__ more accurately portrays the manner of speaking during the time period in which the play is set. Additionally, they discuss ordinary subjects, evoking realistic and un-exaggerated responses from the characters. The male character moves about the room as he speaks, and reacts appropriately to the action and dialogue. The characters must also deal with difficult members of their family, something any audience member can relate too. Of course the costumes also reflect typical wear for the depicted class.

__Miss Julie__ exibits the interactions between a typical man and woman, with period music playing in the background. Once again, they begin to gossip as the common man does, and make it seem as if the audience is almost spying on their house. The action also resembles the typical routine of a working man when he returns home to a warm meal and in need of a drink. The scenery is also laid out realistically, with the dining table just outside the kitchen, and a bar in the corner of the room.

In Hickey's monologue from Eugene O'Neill's __Iceman Cometh__, despite the low chance that an actual congregation of people outside a church would listen to a single man talk about himself for so long, the subject matter of Hickey's speech explores many issues, such as his relationship with his wife, Evelyn, and his wrongdoings and how they affected the relationship. His and her difficulties with faithfulness relate to many relationships between lovers, as well as his demeanor while speaking and body language. Additionally, he talks not as if he is addressing the audience, but is only aware of the characters in the play, which is an essential factor in the realm of realism.

Once again the costuming of this version of __Long Day's Journey Into Night__ exhibits the characteristics of popular clothes of the period. Through his speech, Edmund reveals his passion for the sea, the same that an actual sailor might have with similar feeling. He even doubts himself as anyone would, wondering if any of what he just said made any sense of all. Self-doubt and self-deprecation plague every man or woman at some point in their lives, for it is a part of being human. Portraying what if means to be human is what realism is all about.

Arthur Miller's play, __Death of a Salesman__ depicts the troubled lives of a middle-class family struggling to make ends meet, with the patriarch of the family concerned more about hiding their predicament from his sons and wife than actually remedying it. This selection reveals Willy's worries and stress and how they affect him, such as his difficulties driving. It also displays the relationship between Willy and his wife and her concerned yet naive perspective of the situation. So stressed by his feelings of inadequacy, guilt for his affair, and fear of rejection from his sons that he places on a pedestal, Willy ultimately takes his own life, leaving behind his family that would have accepted him no matter what. The events leading up to this and the fallout from Willy's death epitomize what often happens in families in real life, and creates a connection with the audience in its realism.

The scene from __The Glass Menagerie__ consists of a late night argument between a son and his mother as the mother confronts the son about his troubled life. Dressed in their nightgowns and robes, the two characters look and sound just like a normal family with a normal problem that anyone could relate to. The son is fed up with his job and is resentful towards his mother, while the mother expresses her concern for her son through her anger. The aftermath of the argument and the character's body language exhibit no exaggeration other than the close ups of the camera.

In __Oleana,__ a very common conflict between a teacher and a student is explored, as the troubled and frustrated student expresses her difficulties with class and the teacher attempts to console her but ultimately end up only confusing her more. In contrast to the previous plays, the dialogue is much more modern, as well as the set, which consists of an average teacher's desk with a chair for visitors in front of it

The dialogue in the bar room scene from the film __Glengarry Glen Ross__ sounds as if it could be heard in any bar or even on the street, including the accents, subject matter, and attitudes of the characters. Their clothes resemble those of a business man, in addition to their conversation as they discuss what I can only guess is about some kind of illegal transaction. Compared to the previous clips, this one obviously illustrates the differences between modernity and the past such as in the clothing and dialogue, with a new fashion and style of speaking that is a lot rougher and less polite than before.

In __True West,__ a slob of a character complains about a variety of things, such as the lady of the house and her mannerisms and his difficulty sleeping, all while smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer in the middle of the day while his companion completes chores. The scene portrays the relationship between a screw-up of an older brother and his successful younger sibling, and contrasts the maturity of the two. This familial dynamic occurs all to often in real life, and accurately captures an example of this complex relationship.

The final clip from __Fences__ depicts the relationship between a father and son, with the son unsure of his father's love for him. The son's request for acceptance and love ignites an angry response from the father, which ultimately results in his confession that is along the same lines of "of course I love you, how dare you even ask?" Almost any son or daughter can relate to this situation and the conversation that ensues, especially the response of the father as James Earl Jone's character throws everything he does for his son in his face. Additionally, the scenery of the confrontation, during which the father is working on repairing the house, also includes a realistic time for a naive teenager to approach his off-putting father.