Louis Esson and Early Nationalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Louis Esson and Early Nationalism - Essay Example (Suryadinata, 2000) The play presents an opposing arena where the ideological left is pitted against the somewhat dull and repetitive depiction of the right. Not only is the play a reflection of the nationalistic principles of Esson, but it illustrates the political environment at the time with the then Prime Minister Andrew Fisher having just gained power. This leader would lay the foundations of Australia's new national statutory structure as well as representing the first federal and senate majority government in addition to the first Labour party majority. (Carroll, 2004). Barrett's speech echoes many of Esson's socialist views, with his hard no nonsense delivery, designed to make the public feel like they have something more to think about beyond the realms of conventionality and traditional party politics. It is an urban play unlike the majority of Esson's later body of work of bush located themed dramas. This play was given an amateur performance in Melbourne and heralded Esson as one of the founders of a distinct new genre of Australian drama. Louis Esson and the Australian Theatre is a correspondence w... Louis Esson and the Australian Theatre Louis Esson and the Australian Theatre is a correspondence with Esson's friend and work colleague Vance Palmer who published the letter, together with other documents relating to the work of Esson in 1948. It provides an insight into the opinions and objectives oat the time of Esson's intensions to fundamentally change the direction and angle of his work. It describes conversations had between Esson and his contemporaries, Yeats and Synge following Esson's extensive travels to Europe. Yeats himself had an overwhelming sense of nationalism, and as the letter demonstrates has persuaded Esson here into believing that the future of his success is dependent on writing and producing plays that have a rural focus set in the country. Only then will the true essence of nationalistic belief in your country be recognized and appreciated. This is supported with damning attacks against other writers of the time who Esson; now completely influenced by Yeats considers superficial, when measuring the content of their work against their inability to be true to life as their writing is only informed by emotions and personal tragedy. Labeled the 'so called intellectual drama'. Yeats's strong nationalistic impression of Ireland as a nation perpetually battling for independence, politically torn apart and steeped in Celtic tradition which he advocates in many of his works is compared to Australia in this letter. (Bell, 1997) He justifies this in terms of its true national ideologies w hich he feels should be recognized and publicized more through Esson's own abilities as a playwright And the reader is told