First published 1924
Joseph Wood Krutch traces the transformation of English drama during one of theater's most vibrant eras. He examines how the sharp-edged comic tradition of the Restoration period gradually gave way to the emerging Sentimental comedy movement. Krutch analyzes the cultural forces that drove this theatrical evolution, exploring how changing social attitudes and moral sensibilities reshaped comedic expression on the English stage. The book captures a pivotal moment when playwrights began favoring emotional appeal over satirical bite. Krutch shows how this transition reflected broader shifts in English society's values and expectations. His study illuminates the creative tensions between old and new dramatic forms during this colorful chapter of theatrical history.
Genres: history, drama, literary-criticism, 20th-century, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-shift
Period: Restoration Period
300 pages · Hardcover · Columbia Univ Pr