Twentieth Century Literature-“Manifesto of Futurism”

“Manifesto of Futurism”

1.Answer the following question. Write at least 15 sentences.  Cite at least two of sources indicated. (in addition to the plays listed).  Address all aspects of the question.

Referring to the “Manifesto of Futurism” and the article “Futuristic Synthetic Theater” as well as class lectures and introductory article in your anthology, discuss either Feet or Genius and Culture as representative of the futurist concept of the synthetic theater. What elements in either play reflect futurist concept of drama. Be specific–quote or refer to the aspects of the play you discuss.

 

INFORMATION THAT WILL HELP:

Complete the following assigned readings from Theater of Avant-garde:

• “Italian Futurism” (pp.163-170);
  • F. Marinetti, Feet (pp.171–172);
  • U. Boccioni, Genius and Culture (pp. 173-175);
  • F. Cangiullo, Detonation (p. 176);
  • F. Marinetti, E. Settinelli, and B Corra “The Futurist Synthetic Theater” (pp. 177-182);

 

2. Drawing from class lectures on Dadaist and Surrealist art in general and drama in particular and the critical articles in your textbook as well as Supplementary Notes, answer one of the following questions. Write at least 15 sentences.  Cite at least two of the sources indicated in addition to the plays listed.Address all aspects of the question selected:
3. In what ways do Tzara’s Gas Heartand Stein’s Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights disrupt the three fundamental elements of conventional drama: psychology, causality, and morality? To what extent do they satirize conventional drama? What elements of Dadaist concept of art do they reflect?
4. How does Vitrac’s The Mysteries of Lovepresent the surrealistic “real dream”? How does it blur the distinction between dream and reality in plot and characters’ behavior and disrupt the audience’s expectations? What message(s) does the play convey of the human existence?

 

INFORMATION THAT WILL HELP:

Complete the following assigned readings:

3. “Dada” (p.239);
   • T. Tzara, The Gas Heart (pp.240–256),
   • “Dada Manifesto” (pp.257-263 and handout)
   • “French Surrealism” (p.301);
   • A. Breton, “First Surrealist Manifesto” (pp.338-3346);
   • R. Vitrac, The Mysteries of Love (pp. 302-337);
   • G. Stein, Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights (pp. 397-424);
   • “American Dada and Surrealism” (pp. 395-396);
   • G. Stein, “Plays” (pp. 425-440).