This thesis focuses on the depiction of African-American issues as they appear in Edward Albee?s play The Death of Bessie Smith. The thesis depicts the position of African Americans in American society during the 20th century and their relations with a white community. At the same time, space is also devoted to the depiction of Bessie Smith?s character whose accuracy is compared to historical records. Finally, literary devices used by Edward Albee in this particular play are examined.
Anotace v angličtině
Tato práce se zabývá vyobrazením problémů, se kterými se potýká afroamerická komunita v díle Edwarda Albeeho Smrt Bessie Smithové. Práce mapuje postavení Afroameričanů v americké společnosti během 20. století a jejich soužití v rámci bělošské komunity. Zároveň je prostor věnován také vyobrazení Bessie Smithové, jejíž postava je porovnána s historickými záznamy. V neposlední řadě jsou také zkoumány literární prostředky, které Edward Albee využívá v dané hře.
Klíčová slova
African Americans, Albee, Edward, The Death of Bessie Smith, segregation, social inequality, discrimination
Klíčová slova v angličtině
Afroameričané, Albee, Edward, Smrt Bessie Smithové, segregace, sociální nerovnost, diskriminace
Rozsah průvodní práce
52 s.
Jazyk
AN
Anotace
This thesis focuses on the depiction of African-American issues as they appear in Edward Albee?s play The Death of Bessie Smith. The thesis depicts the position of African Americans in American society during the 20th century and their relations with a white community. At the same time, space is also devoted to the depiction of Bessie Smith?s character whose accuracy is compared to historical records. Finally, literary devices used by Edward Albee in this particular play are examined.
Anotace v angličtině
Tato práce se zabývá vyobrazením problémů, se kterými se potýká afroamerická komunita v díle Edwarda Albeeho Smrt Bessie Smithové. Práce mapuje postavení Afroameričanů v americké společnosti během 20. století a jejich soužití v rámci bělošské komunity. Zároveň je prostor věnován také vyobrazení Bessie Smithové, jejíž postava je porovnána s historickými záznamy. V neposlední řadě jsou také zkoumány literární prostředky, které Edward Albee využívá v dané hře.
Klíčová slova
African Americans, Albee, Edward, The Death of Bessie Smith, segregation, social inequality, discrimination
Klíčová slova v angličtině
Afroameričané, Albee, Edward, Smrt Bessie Smithové, segregace, sociální nerovnost, diskriminace
Zásady pro vypracování
An important part of this BP should be how actual historical events can be compared to depictions in literature in general (very briefly), and in theatre plays in particular (in a bit more detail - e.g. in Shakespeare). So the opening chapters should present some theories about this kind of representation; playwright Arthur Miller has written about this for example. Next, a short biography of Bessie Smith with emphasis on social and historical events of the early 20th century affecting African-Americans (especially women) should be included. These events can be compared to the situation for African-Americans during the late 1950s, when Albee's play was written. In the following chapter pertinent biographical information on Edward Albee and a short overview of his important works should be featured. A brief summary of the plot, characters and style of writing of The Death of Bessie Smith should be described. The longest and most important part of the paper should be an analysis of how African-American issues are depicted in the play. On he other hand, Albee, a white playwright, has himself commented on how his play is not only about African-American issues, but attempts to make a more universal statement about American society and values using certain historical events, so in this way the plays by Eugene O'Neill The Emperor Jones and All God's Chillin' Got Wings may be compared or contrasted.
Zásady pro vypracování
An important part of this BP should be how actual historical events can be compared to depictions in literature in general (very briefly), and in theatre plays in particular (in a bit more detail - e.g. in Shakespeare). So the opening chapters should present some theories about this kind of representation; playwright Arthur Miller has written about this for example. Next, a short biography of Bessie Smith with emphasis on social and historical events of the early 20th century affecting African-Americans (especially women) should be included. These events can be compared to the situation for African-Americans during the late 1950s, when Albee's play was written. In the following chapter pertinent biographical information on Edward Albee and a short overview of his important works should be featured. A brief summary of the plot, characters and style of writing of The Death of Bessie Smith should be described. The longest and most important part of the paper should be an analysis of how African-American issues are depicted in the play. On he other hand, Albee, a white playwright, has himself commented on how his play is not only about African-American issues, but attempts to make a more universal statement about American society and values using certain historical events, so in this way the plays by Eugene O'Neill The Emperor Jones and All God's Chillin' Got Wings may be compared or contrasted.
Seznam doporučené literatury
1.Albee, Edward. The ZOO story The death of Bessie Smith The sandbox : three plays introduced by the author. New York : Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, 1959, c1960
2.Fenton, Steve. Ethnicity : racism, class and culture. Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield, c1999
3.Harrison, Faye V. Resisting racism and xenophobia : global perspectives on race, gender, and human rights. Walnut Creek : AltaMira Press, c2005
4.Stone, John and Dennis, Rutledge. Race and ethnicity : comparative and theoretical approaches. Oxford : Blackwell, 2003
5.Franklin, John Hope and Moss, Alfred A., Jr. From slavery to freedom : a history of African Americans. New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1994
6.Weisbrot, Robert. Freedom bound : a history of America's civil right movement. New York : Norton, 1990
7.Hrubec, Marek. Martin Luther King proti nespravedlnosti. Praha: Filosofia, 2010
8.Stenz, Anita Maria. Edward Albee: the poet of loss. Walter de Gruyter, 1978 http://books.google.cz/books?id=6Zjfq5V7uYwC&printsec=frontcover&hl=cs
9.Bottoms, Stephen James. The Cambridge Companion to Edward Albee. Cambridge University Press, 2005 http://books.google.cz/books?id=A9YbZIZE84sC&printsec=frontcover&hl=cs
Seznam doporučené literatury
1.Albee, Edward. The ZOO story The death of Bessie Smith The sandbox : three plays introduced by the author. New York : Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, 1959, c1960
2.Fenton, Steve. Ethnicity : racism, class and culture. Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield, c1999
3.Harrison, Faye V. Resisting racism and xenophobia : global perspectives on race, gender, and human rights. Walnut Creek : AltaMira Press, c2005
4.Stone, John and Dennis, Rutledge. Race and ethnicity : comparative and theoretical approaches. Oxford : Blackwell, 2003
5.Franklin, John Hope and Moss, Alfred A., Jr. From slavery to freedom : a history of African Americans. New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1994
6.Weisbrot, Robert. Freedom bound : a history of America's civil right movement. New York : Norton, 1990
7.Hrubec, Marek. Martin Luther King proti nespravedlnosti. Praha: Filosofia, 2010
8.Stenz, Anita Maria. Edward Albee: the poet of loss. Walter de Gruyter, 1978 http://books.google.cz/books?id=6Zjfq5V7uYwC&printsec=frontcover&hl=cs
9.Bottoms, Stephen James. The Cambridge Companion to Edward Albee. Cambridge University Press, 2005 http://books.google.cz/books?id=A9YbZIZE84sC&printsec=frontcover&hl=cs