The Art of Dramatic Writing

Its Basis in the Creative Interpretation of Human Motives

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Writing & Publishing, Composition & Creative Writing, Reference
Cover of the book The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri, Touchstone
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Lajos Egri ISBN: 9781439123799
Publisher: Touchstone Publication: February 15, 1972
Imprint: Touchstone Language: English
Author: Lajos Egri
ISBN: 9781439123799
Publisher: Touchstone
Publication: February 15, 1972
Imprint: Touchstone
Language: English

Amid the hundreds of "how-to" books that have appeared in recent years, there have been very few which attempted to analyze the mysteries of play-construction. This book does that -- and its principles are so valid that they apply equally well to the short story, novel and screenplay.

Lajos Egri examines a play from the inside out, starting with the heart of any drama: its characters. For it is people -- their private natures and their inter-relationships -- that move a story and give it life. All good dramatic writing depends upon an understanding of human motives. Why do people act as they do? What forces transform a coward into a hero, a hero into a coward? What is it that Romeo does early in Shakespeare's play that makes his later suicide seem inevitable? Why must Nora leave her husband at the end of A Doll's House?

These are a few of the fascinating problems which Egri analyzes. He shows how it is essential for the author to have a basic premise -- a thesis, demonstrated in terms of human behavior -- and to develop his dramatic conflict on the basis of that behavior. Premise, character, conflict: this is Egri's ABC. His book is a direct, jargon-free approach to the problem of achieving truth in a literary creation.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Amid the hundreds of "how-to" books that have appeared in recent years, there have been very few which attempted to analyze the mysteries of play-construction. This book does that -- and its principles are so valid that they apply equally well to the short story, novel and screenplay.

Lajos Egri examines a play from the inside out, starting with the heart of any drama: its characters. For it is people -- their private natures and their inter-relationships -- that move a story and give it life. All good dramatic writing depends upon an understanding of human motives. Why do people act as they do? What forces transform a coward into a hero, a hero into a coward? What is it that Romeo does early in Shakespeare's play that makes his later suicide seem inevitable? Why must Nora leave her husband at the end of A Doll's House?

These are a few of the fascinating problems which Egri analyzes. He shows how it is essential for the author to have a basic premise -- a thesis, demonstrated in terms of human behavior -- and to develop his dramatic conflict on the basis of that behavior. Premise, character, conflict: this is Egri's ABC. His book is a direct, jargon-free approach to the problem of achieving truth in a literary creation.

More books from Touchstone

Cover of the book First Comes Marriage by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book The King's Pleasure by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book The Art of Talking So That People Will Listen by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book The Joslin Guide to Diabetes by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Wish It, Dream It, Do It by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book It's All In The Frijoles by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book The Five Simple Steps to Emotional Healing by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Beyond The Bottom Line by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems: Revised Edition by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Secret Society by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Dock Ellis in the Country of Baseball by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book The Exploits & Adventures of Miss Alethea Darcy by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Raising a Happy, Unspoiled Child by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Never Check E-Mail In the Morning by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Sex Toys 101 by Lajos Egri
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy