Realism

In Russia, Anton Chekov, wrote plays relating to Russian surroundings including unhappiness, peasantry, aristocracy and suppression. He made theatre an education and allowed audience members to interoperate what it meant in their lives. Accuracy now had new meaning for actors and writers. He wanted plays to display solving human problems and better living conditions through education as in ‘Caesar and Cleopatra’. In France the most important realist was Alexandrè Du Mos, who wrote and dramatised ‘Ladies of the Camellias’ and later wrote even more realistic plays. There were no restrictions incorporating symbolism. The writer should never be subjective, he should observe, record, experiment with aim to demonstrate truth but with the artist staying detached. He used comedy to drive home serious points. In his works he begins with what the world excepts and then demolishes it. Like in ‘Arms in the man’ where he punctures bloated ideals about love and war. It was based on the idea of reliving an experience instead of acting it.