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 Now You See It by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Touching Tomorrow by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Unearned Pleasures and Other Stories by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book The Grieving Teen by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book The Narcissist You Know by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Cooperstown by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book How to Duck a Suckah by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Dear Hubby, About Your Retirement by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Monster Under The Bed by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book The Principles of Knitting by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Move Your Bus by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book How to Avoid Housework by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Wish It, Dream It, Do It by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book Emilie's Voice by Lajos Egri
Cover of the book New Our Right to Love 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