Research Catalog

Title

The case for Terence Rattigan, playwright / John A. Bertolini.

Author

Bertolini, John A. (John Anthony), 1947-

Publication

• Cham, Switzerland : Palgrave Macmillan [2016].
• ©2016

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xii, 229 pages; 22 cm

Summary

'Terence Rattigan was among the most successful British playwrights of the modern era - a master of comedy as well as tragedy. He is so incredibly good it should come as no surprise that a significant revival has been underway for some time. In fact, Rattigan has been slowly achieving a permanent place of esteem in the essential repertoire of twentieth century dramatists. And that place will be bolstered by this brilliant comprehensive study of the playwright's art by John A. Bertolini. His book is a pleasure to read: elegantly written, persistently intelligent, and lucid, and it does exactly what it promises: makes a case for Rattigan.' - Jay Parini, D.E.Axinn Professor of English, Middlebury College, USA This book asserts the extraordinary quality of mid-twentieth century playwright Terence Rattigan's dramatic art and its basis in his use of subtext, implication, and understatement. By discussing every play in chronological order, the book also articulates the trajectory of Rattigan's darkening vision of the human potential for happiness from his earlier comedies through his final plays in which death appears as a longed for peace. New here is the exploration through close analysis of Rattigan's style of writing dialogue and speeches, and how that style expresses Rattigan's sense of life. Likewise, the book newly examines how Rattigan draws on sources in Greek and Roman history, literature, and myth, as well as how he invites comparison with the work of other playwrights, especially Bernard Shaw and Shakespeare. It will appeal broadly to college and university students studying dramatic literature, but also and especially to actors and directors, and the play-going, play-reading public.

Series Statement

Bernard Shaw and His Contemporaries

Uniform Title

Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries.

Subject

• Rattigan, Terence > Criticism and interpretation

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 219-222) and index.

Contents

Preface -- Introduction. Terence Rattigan's Art of Understatement and Implication -- Chapter 1. French Without Tears -- Chapter 2. After the Dance -- Chapter 3. Flare Path -- Chapter 4. The Winslow Boy -- Chapter 5. The Comedies -- Chapter 6. The Browning Version -- Chapter 7. Adventure Story -- Chapter 8. The Deep Blue Sea -- Chapter 9. Separate Tables -- Chapter 10. Ross and Man and Boy -- Chapter 11. Bequest to the Nation -- Chapter 12. In Praise of Love -- Chapter 13. Cause Célèbre.

Call Number

JFD 17-2985

ISBN

• 9783319409962
• 3319409964

LCCN

2016956381

OCLC

950954223

Author

Bertolini, John A. (John Anthony), 1947- author.

Title

The case for Terence Rattigan, playwright / John A. Bertolini.

Publisher

Cham, Switzerland : Palgrave Macmillan [2016].

Copyright Date

©2016

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Series

Bernard Shaw and His Contemporaries

Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 219-222) and index.

Research Call Number

JFD 17-2985