Research Article

Edward Bond’s Dialectical Theatre from the Perspective of a Dialectical Understanding of Utopia and Dystopia

Volume: 17 Number: 1 June 30, 2023
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Edward Bond’s Dialectical Theatre from the Perspective of a Dialectical Understanding of Utopia and Dystopia

Abstract

Edward Bond asserts that art is significant because it is made up of a constant dialectic of variation in which every idea is subject to criticism. Bond does not argue that a utopian work of art resolves actual conflicts in a fictitious setting; rather, he emphasises that it exposes these issues in a concrete way in its internal structure and reflects the need for a new and different existence. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how Bond, one of the most prominent representatives of Marxist-dialectical theatre, creates a dramaturgy of utopia (individual)/dystopia (dividual) and hope/hopelessness in his plays The Bundle (1978) and Summer (1982). Bond believes that art, particularly theatre, should be employed to encourage the desire for a socialist utopia. Bond does not resolve the contradictions of life (within capitalism) in a utopian fiction; rather, he contends that the problems of capitalist exploitation that drive individuals to hopelessness should be made visible in his plays’ internal structure. He does this through a kind of Brechtian theatre where the contradictions of capitalism are foregrounded. Like Brecht, Bond attempts to use theatre to promote change in society - both represent the fundamental problems of society to convince spectators that social change is necessary and possible. Bond purposefully employs a mix of political propaganda and a utopian hope for a new and different existence. His plays exhibit a desire for a politically awake society, and a peaceful world that prioritises equality and freedom.

Keywords

References

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  4. Adiseshiah, S. (2022). Utopian Drama in Search of a Genre. Methuen Drama, Bloomsbury.
  5. Anderson, W. (2020). Revolutionary Artistry-- Brecht, Marx, and the Evolution of Epic Theatre. Honors Capstone Projects. 15.
  6. Berti, E. (1978). Ancient Greek Dialectic as Expression of Freedom of Thought and Speech. Journal of the History of Ideas. 39(3), 347-370.
  7. Biçer, A. G. (2008a). Edward Bond’un Tarihsel Oyunlarinda Diyalektik Yaklaşım, Atatürk Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Yayınlanmış Doktora Tezi.
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Literary Theory

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2023

Submission Date

February 22, 2023

Acceptance Date

April 24, 2023

Published in Issue

Year 2023 Volume: 17 Number: 1

APA
Günenç, M. (2023). Edward Bond’s Dialectical Theatre from the Perspective of a Dialectical Understanding of Utopia and Dystopia. Cankaya University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 17(1), 30-42. https://doi.org/10.47777/cankujhss.1255066
AMA
1.Günenç M. Edward Bond’s Dialectical Theatre from the Perspective of a Dialectical Understanding of Utopia and Dystopia. CUJHSS. 2023;17(1):30-42. doi:10.47777/cankujhss.1255066
Chicago
Günenç, Mesut. 2023. “Edward Bond’s Dialectical Theatre from the Perspective of a Dialectical Understanding of Utopia and Dystopia”. Cankaya University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 17 (1): 30-42. https://doi.org/10.47777/cankujhss.1255066.
EndNote
Günenç M (June 1, 2023) Edward Bond’s Dialectical Theatre from the Perspective of a Dialectical Understanding of Utopia and Dystopia. Cankaya University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 17 1 30–42.
IEEE
[1]M. Günenç, “Edward Bond’s Dialectical Theatre from the Perspective of a Dialectical Understanding of Utopia and Dystopia”, CUJHSS, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 30–42, June 2023, doi: 10.47777/cankujhss.1255066.
ISNAD
Günenç, Mesut. “Edward Bond’s Dialectical Theatre from the Perspective of a Dialectical Understanding of Utopia and Dystopia”. Cankaya University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 17/1 (June 1, 2023): 30-42. https://doi.org/10.47777/cankujhss.1255066.
JAMA
1.Günenç M. Edward Bond’s Dialectical Theatre from the Perspective of a Dialectical Understanding of Utopia and Dystopia. CUJHSS. 2023;17:30–42.
MLA
Günenç, Mesut. “Edward Bond’s Dialectical Theatre from the Perspective of a Dialectical Understanding of Utopia and Dystopia”. Cankaya University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, vol. 17, no. 1, June 2023, pp. 30-42, doi:10.47777/cankujhss.1255066.
Vancouver
1.Mesut Günenç. Edward Bond’s Dialectical Theatre from the Perspective of a Dialectical Understanding of Utopia and Dystopia. CUJHSS. 2023 Jun. 1;17(1):30-42. doi:10.47777/cankujhss.1255066

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