HSS403(012) Literature Seminar in Humanties: Modern Irish Drama
Summer 2012
Tiernan 107
MWR 1-4
Jon Curley
Department of Humanities
Cullimore 409 (Office hours by appt.)
(973) 596-3258
seancurl@hotmail.com
Course Description
This course is a comprehensive survey of Irish dramatic literature from the late
nineteenth century to the present, examining the emergence of an aesthetic movement
attempting to create and redefine a nation and its literature. The revival of certain ancient
myths and stories and their adaptation to this creative effort paralleled the invention of
new concepts and literary tropes to explain Irish identity and its colonial legacy. Our
exploration will begin with Yeats, Lady Gregory, and the legacy of the Irish Literary
Revival, finishing with the plays of Martin MacDonagh, one of the leading lights in the
new generation of contemporary Irish drama.
Requirements
You are expected to keep up with the reading in the texts and complete all assigned
exercises. Classroom participation is essential. I will ask that you bring responses to
particular texts under discussion each week and compile a weekly writing journal based
on your writing experience, classroom reactions, and any other thoughts related to Irish
dramatic literature.
Also:
Two Essays
40%
Oral Presentation
10%
Final Examination
25%
Weekly writings &
Oral Presentation
15%
Class Participation
10%
Required Texts
Modern Irish Drama, ed. John Harrington (W.W. Norton, 1991)
The Beauty Queen of Leenane and Other Plays, Martin MacDonagh (Vintage, 1998)
Course Outline
Primary texts are listed first; secondary sources second. Assignments marked with * are
optional.
Week 1: May 21, 23, 24
Introduction: The Histories of Ireland and the Irish Dramatic Imagination
W.B. Yeats & Lady Gregory, Cathleen Ni Houlihan*; W.B. Yeats, At the Hawk’s Well
Lady Gregory, Spreading the News, The Rising of the Moon
Lady Gregory, “Our Irish Theatre;” “A Note on Spreading the News”
W.B. Yeats, “An Irish National Theatre;” “An Introduction for My Plays”
Week 2: May 28, 30, 31
J.M. Synge, Riders to the Sea; The Playboy of the Western World
George Bernard Shaw, John Bull’s Other Island
Sean O’Casey, Juno and the Paycock
J.M. Synge, “Preface to The Playboy of the Western World”
Joseph Holloway, Journal 1907
George Bernard Shaw, Preface for Politicians
Norma Jenkes, The Rejection of Shaw’s Irish Play: John Bull’s Other Island
Declan Kiberd, John Bull’s Other Islander—Bernard Shaw
Joseph Holloway (Journal 1923-24); Lady Gregory (Journal 1923-24)
Susan Cannon Harris, Sensationalizing Sacrifice
Week 3: June 4, 6, 7
Samuel Beckett, Krapp’s Last Tape
Film: Krapp’s Last Tape Dir. Atom Egoyan
Brian Friel, Translations
**All critical backgrounds on Samuel Beckett**
Essay #1 due
Week 4: June 11, 13, 14
Translations con’t
**All critical backgrounds on Brian Friel**
Conor McPherson, The Weir
Marina Carr, By the Bog of the Cats
Conor McPherson, The Weir (critical background)
+ Any 2 other McPherson background essays of your choosing
Marina Carr, Introduction to My Plays
+ Any 2 other Carr background essays of your choosing
Week 5: June 18, 20, 21
Martin McDonagh, The Beauty Queen of Lenane; The Lonesome West
Oral Presentations & Catching Up
Week 6: June 25
Course Conclusions & Beginnings
Final Examination
Essay #2 due