How Did Avant Garde Influence The Theatre Of The Absurd

Imagine the trauma of those that experienced World War II, were victims of the Nazis and Fascist, and lived under the threat of nuclear bombing. Those events and experiences were significant, challenging the conventional ways people were living their lives. This influenced theatre in a big way, through a type of theatre called Avant-Garde (Franks). Avant-Garde was known to introduce original ideas, forms, and techniques. Often considered Experimental Theatre, it lacked logically-constructed plots and pushed the limits of the stage (Franks). It evolved into a form of theatre, known as the Theatre of the Absurd, which challenged the norm of the post-World War II society (Culik). Through unique methods, the Theatre of the Absurd made a major

The term was first introduced by Martin Esslin, a Hungarian-born critic, who wrote a book on the subject (Crabb). While traditional theatre shows life as we normally see it, the absurdist theatre is often dream-like and confusing. It rejects practicality and focuses on the absurdity of the average person’s life. Some felt that art forms were no longer convincing in this era, and to challenge this, this type of theatre was more focused on the surreal, illogical, and often confusing state (Culik). With the war, religion was thought to have left many people’s lives and this was an attempt to bring back the rituals people once knew (Culik). According to Dr. Jan Culik, the Absurd Theatre hopes to make man aware of reality by shocking and startling those thought to be content and comfortable

It is about a man named Berenger, who is an alcoholic. He meets his good friend, Jean, for a drink. Jean tries to convince Berenger that he needs more will-power in his life and not give in to the daily pressures. He feels that if Berenger has will-power that he may be able to gain the affection of Daisy, a typist in his office that he has a crush on. During their conversation, a rhinoceros runs through the town square. Throughout the play, more sightings of rhinoceros occur, including in Berenger’s office. When it is determined that one of his co-workers turns into a rhinoceros, Berenger notices that others are transforming too, including Daisy. Berenger now finds himself alone as he is the only one that has not transformed. Daisy and the others have succumbed to the pressures to be like the majority of the people and do not want to be different. Berenger, on the other hand, wants to keep his individuality and will fight the rhinoceros until the end