Proseminar Introduction to West Indian Drama

Since the 1960s, a thriving theatre culture has developed in the English-speaking Caribbean. The small island state Trinidad has become something of a centre for playwrights in search of a uniquely Caribbean form of drama. In this course we will consider the achievements of three playwrights whose dramas were written and staged in the years prior to and following Trinidad's independence from Great Britain in 1962: Errol John's award winning play Moon on a Rainbow Shawl (1957) is about a man trying to escape from his life in a Port of Spain slum and start a new life in England. In Earl Lovelace's play Jestina's Calypso (1978) an ugly woman becomes the laughing-stock of the village when she wants to marry her pen pal who left Trinidad for New York. Nobel Prize winner Derek Walcott's play Dream on Monkey Mountain (1970) is about a man's dream journey to Africa and back to the Caribbean leaving him transformed. Ti-Jean and His Brothers (1958) by the same author is based on a West Indian folktale about three brothers who have to outwit the Devil. It will be possible to watch a film adaptation and/or short recordings of performances of the plays. Since this course is designed as an introduction, students will get the chance to review, apply, and broaden the knowledge acquired in the -OK- Literary Studies as we discuss the functions and characteristics of the genre. All the while, we will consider the unique situation in the former British colonies known as the West Indies at a time when many of them gained independence from the mother country. Master copies of the primary texts and select criticism will be available in a binder on the reserve shelf in BB2 by the end of March. Once classes have started, they will also be available in a Moodle course. Voraussetzungen Successful completion of the OK -Introduction to British and American History and Literatures.” Regular and active participation including a short oral presentation is required of everybody. Prior to our first meeting, participants are expected to have read the essay -The Emergence of a National Drama in the West Indies- by Errol Hill. The essay will be provided in a binder on the reserve shelf in BB2. Leistungsnachweis 10-15 page term paper. FB 02 Institut für Anglistik / Amerikanistik Successful completion of the OK -Introduction to British and American History and Literatures.” Regular and active participation including a short oral presentation is required of everybody. Prior to our first meeting, participants are expected to have read the essay -The Emergence of a National Drama in the West Indies- by Errol Hill. The essay will be provided in a binder on the reserve shelf in BB2. 10-15 page term paper. Uni Kassel SoSe 2014 Anglistik/Englisch Anglistik/Englisch Pfeffer Sarah