The MEG 17 American Drama I assignment solution offers a comprehensive analysis of American drama, covering key playwrights, dramatic movements, and the historical and cultural contexts in which these works were produced. This solution is designed to align with IGNOU guidelines, helping students explore the development of American drama from its early roots to its contemporary forms. The solution provides insights into how American playwrights have used the stage to comment on societal issues, explore identity, and reflect the complexities of the American experience.

The study begins with an exploration of the early American theatre and its roots in European traditions. American drama initially drew heavily from European influences, particularly British theatre. Early works like William Dunlap's plays are examined, along with the melodramatic and sentimental theatre that emerged during the 19th century. The development of minstrel shows and burlesque are studied for their role in reflecting the racial and social dynamics of the time.

The solution then delves into the Realist period in American drama, with a focus on playwrights such as Henrik Ibsen's influence on American theatre through works like A Doll’s House, even though Ibsen himself was Norwegian. Realism in American drama is typified by Eugene O'Neill, Arthur Miller, and Tennessee Williams, whose works brought a new level of psychological depth and social realism to the American stage. O'Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night is analyzed for its exploration of family dynamics, mental illness, and American history. Miller’s Death of a Salesman is discussed for its critique of the American Dream, capitalism, and the disillusionment of post-war American society. Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire is examined for its exploration of desire, identity, and class conflict in post-war America.

The solution also explores the Modernist and Postmodernist movements in American drama, particularly the works of Edward Albee, Sam Shepard, and David Mamet. Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is analyzed for its portrayal of marital conflict, identity, and the breakdown of social conventions in mid-20th-century America. Shepard’s True West is explored for its treatment of family dynamics, competition, and the American frontier mythology. Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross is discussed for its commentary on capitalism, ambition, and the harsh realities of American business culture.

The Absurdist movement also has a significant place in the study of American drama. Sam Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, although originally written in French, has been a major influence on American dramatists, and his existential exploration of humanity’s struggle for meaning is examined for its impact on playwrights like Harold Pinter and Edward Albee. American Absurdist drama is often concerned with the alienation and absurdity of modern life. Albee’s The Zoo Story and Beckett's influence are highlighted, showing how these playwrights sought to depict the breakdown of language and communication.

The solution also examines key themes in American drama, such as identity, race, social justice, and the American Dream. Race and its representation in American theatre have been central issues, with works such as Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun and August Wilson’s Fences addressing racial tensions and the experience of African Americans in post-slavery, post-civil rights America. Hansberry’s portrayal of the working-class black family and their pursuit of the American Dream is explored alongside Wilson’s depiction of African American life in the 20th century, examining the tensions between family, legacy, and American ideals.

The American theatre has always grappled with the American Dream, examining both the promise and the disillusionment that accompanies it. This theme is explored through Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, Edward Albee's Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, among others, providing a critical lens through which to view the pursuit of success in American culture.

For students who are looking for a more personalized approach, a custom handwritten option is available. This option offers tailored insights into the works of key playwrights, allowing for in-depth analysis of specific themes, dramatic techniques, and movements based on the student’s academic needs.