This paper attempts a comparative analysis of Americanness in the play "One-Third of a Nation". The title of the play was taken from the following statement in 1937 of Roosevelt: "I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished. ...". "One-Third of a Nation" became one of the most successful plays of Living Newspaper with 237 performances between 1937-1939.
As the editor playwright of the group, Arent intended to investigate the circumstances behind conditions rather than surface news. "One-Third of a Nation" traced the story of American tenement housing by reflecting various conditions with various people. This paper deals with the circumstances of the play and the reactions of the public. It sheds light on the accusations of both the leftist and the rightist and shows that the project is "as American as Walt Disney".
Table of Contents
1—Introduction
2—One-Third of a Nation (1938)
3.1—Accusations by the leftist
3.2—Accusations by the rightist
4—As American as Walt Disney
Objectives and Topics
This study focuses on the "Living Newspaper" theatrical form and its play "One-Third of a Nation" (1938) by Arthur Arent, analyzing its role and impact on American society during the Great Depression. The primary research goal is to investigate how these productions addressed social issues while navigating intense political pressure from both the left and right wings.
- The historical origin and objectives of the Federal Theatre Project (FTP).
- Technical and stylistic innovations of the Living Newspaper genre.
- Political controversies and accusations of communist propaganda against the FTP.
- The concept of "Americanness" in theatrical depictions of social problems.
Excerpt from the Book
2—One-Third of a Nation (1938)
The title of the play was taken from the following statement in 1937 of Roosevelt: “I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished. ...” (Browder 157). One-Third of a Nation became one of the most successful plays of Living Newspaper with 237 performances between 1937-1939 (Smiley 84). As the editor playwright of the group, Arent intended to investigate the circumstances behind conditions rather than surface news (Smiley 55). One-Third of a Nation traced the story of American tenement housing by reflecting various conditions with various people.
When the play made its premiere, ‘’it became one of the great successes in New York City Federal Theatre, ran almost eight months and seen by over 217, 458 persons’’ (Flanagan, Arena 217). It was found as ‘’the most interesting of the living newspaper series’’ by Burns Mantle, ‘’presenting vividly and artistically a human document’’ by Sidney Whipple’’ (Flanagan, Arena 217).
During the beginning of the 1920s, a type of theatre emerged in Eastern Europe, which is called Documentary Theatre. It is originally used by the Blue Blouses in Russia and they were dramatizing the current events. In the 1930s, the other countries started to use documentary theatre techniques and they were mostly used by the left-leaning groups. The plays were about the common man. In Germany, this technique was used by Erwin Piscator. Volksbühne, also known as People’s Theatre, was opened in 1914 in Berlin and directed by Piscator between 1924-1927. He described it as progressive and experimental. Piscator and Brecht worked together on epic theatre and used the theatre to convey radical political instruction. According to Piscator, ‘’art was only a means to an end. A political means. A propagandistic means. A pedagogical means’’ (Saal 35).
Chapter Summary
1—Introduction: Outlines the origins of the Federal Theatre Project (FTP) under the New Deal, emphasizing its goal to provide employment and low-cost theatre for the public.
2—One-Third of a Nation (1938): Details the production and stylistic techniques of the play, highlighting its focus on tenement housing and its connection to the Documentary Theatre tradition.
3.1—Accusations by the leftist: Examines criticisms from the left-wing, specifically regarding the political stance and alleged failure of the FTP to maintain revolutionary influence.
3.2—Accusations by the rightist: Discusses the intense political scrutiny by the Dies Committee, which labeled the FTP as communist-affiliated and anti-American.
4—As American as Walt Disney: Analyzes the struggle to define the "Americanness" of the Living Newspaper against the backdrop of the Red Scare and political censorship.
Keywords
Living Newspaper, Federal Theatre Project, One-Third of a Nation, Great Depression, Arthur Arent, Hallie Flanagan, Documentary Theatre, Red Scare, Housing problems, Political censorship, American society, New Deal, Didactic drama, Communist propaganda, Social reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this study?
The study examines the Federal Theatre Project (FTP) and specifically the play "One-Third of a Nation" (1938) to understand their influence on 1930s American society and their complex relationship with political authority.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the use of theatre as a tool for public education, the challenges of political censorship during the Great Depression, and the debates surrounding the "Americanness" of socially critical art.
What is the main research question?
The work explores whether the Living Newspaper productions were truly communist propaganda, as alleged by political committees, or if they were reform-oriented efforts to address urgent social problems like housing.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses historical analysis, drawing on primary documents, critical reviews of the era, and testimony from the Dies Committee to interpret the cultural and political significance of the FTP.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the establishment of the FTP, the artistic techniques borrowed from European models, the dual nature of criticism from both the left and right, and the ultimate closure of the project.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Keywords such as "Living Newspaper," "Federal Theatre Project," "Great Depression," "Political Censorship," and "Social Reform" are essential to understanding the analysis provided.
Why did the Dies Committee investigate the Federal Theatre Project?
The committee, led by Martin Dies, suspected the FTP of being a vehicle for communist propaganda and un-American activities due to its critical portrayal of American economic and social conditions.
How did Hallie Flanagan defend the project?
Flanagan testified that the project was not aimed at promoting communism, but rather at fostering "propaganda for democracy" and "propaganda for better housing," emphasizing that the theatre was meant to educate the public.
What significance did the play "One-Third of a Nation" hold?
It was one of the most successful Living Newspaper productions, using the issue of tenement housing to connect with the personal lives of ordinary Americans, thus bridging the gap between theatre and social advocacy.
- Citation du texte
- Seda Deperlioglu (Auteur), 2020, A Comparative Analysis of Americanness in the Play "One-Third of a Nation", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1151404
