O'neill And Strindberg

The literary movement, or mentality known as "expressionism" emerged in Europe during the transition from the 19^th to the 20^th century. It probes deep into people's heart and soul, and regards the reality inside people's heart more reliable than the one outside, therefore ignoring the latter one. It's in this respect that American outstanding modern dramatist Eugene O'Neill shares the similarity with the forerunner of expressionistic drama, Swedish dramatist August Strindberg. With the expressionism as the join, this thesis gives a brief account of the origins and backgrounds of the expressionistic drama, inquires into the influence of Strindberg's expressionistic plays on O'Neill, discusses the characteristics of Eugene O'Neill and August Strindberg's expressionistic plays respectively, finally, by analyzing the similarities and differences between these two masters in respect of their expressionistic plays through the method of comparison, expounds O'Neill's inheritance, development and innovation of Strindberg's expressionistic art, thus pointing out the great contribution of O'Neill's expressionistic art to both America and the world drama.