Taking sides in Ronald Harwood's 'Taking Sides'

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British
Cover of the book Taking sides in Ronald Harwood's 'Taking Sides' by Katrin Schmidt, GRIN Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Katrin Schmidt ISBN: 9783638068352
Publisher: GRIN Publishing Publication: June 23, 2008
Imprint: GRIN Publishing Language: English
Author: Katrin Schmidt
ISBN: 9783638068352
Publisher: GRIN Publishing
Publication: June 23, 2008
Imprint: GRIN Publishing
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,0, University of Münster (Englisches Seminar), 18 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Introduction Wilhelm Furtwängler was a renowned German conductor before, during and after the Third Reich. He is still known today not least because of his ambiguous relationship with National Socialism. The playwright Ronald Harwood wrote a play named Taking Sides about Furtwängler's denazification trial. The title appeals to the audience to take sides rather than summing up the plot of the play. Harwood makes his audience witness a dialogue of two contrasting perspectives: Furtwängler, on the one hand who is convinced of his innocence, and on the other, there is American investigator Major Arnold whose aim is to prove Furtwängler's guilt. In the end it is up to the audience to take sides (cf. Glaap 2003, p. 13). Questions the playwright poses at his audience are: 'Why did Furtwängler stay in Germany whereas many other artists emigrated? (How) Did he manage to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic without making a deal with high-rank Nazis? Did he make up for his guilt by helping some Jews to escape? Can Arnold be interpreted as advocate of the Third Reich's victims? (cf. ibid.). This essay is not meant to finally expose the truth about Furtwängler's guilt or innocence; other scholars have attempted to do that. Rather, my interest lies in revealing if Harwood succeeded in creating a neutral play that appeals to the audience to take sides without revealing his own personal opinion. With this working hypothesis I want to start by examining Harwood's motivation to write the play. As a next step the importance of the setting will be examined. When analysing Harwood's choice of characters and their function concerning their questioning or their support of Furtwängler, I will also examine Furtwängler's role in the Third Reich as background information. By doing that, arguments taking sides for or against Furtwängler will also be taken into account. Furthermore, I will give an overview of the critic's voice on Harwood's play. In my conclusion I want to answer the question if Harwood succeeded in not taking sides.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,0, University of Münster (Englisches Seminar), 18 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Introduction Wilhelm Furtwängler was a renowned German conductor before, during and after the Third Reich. He is still known today not least because of his ambiguous relationship with National Socialism. The playwright Ronald Harwood wrote a play named Taking Sides about Furtwängler's denazification trial. The title appeals to the audience to take sides rather than summing up the plot of the play. Harwood makes his audience witness a dialogue of two contrasting perspectives: Furtwängler, on the one hand who is convinced of his innocence, and on the other, there is American investigator Major Arnold whose aim is to prove Furtwängler's guilt. In the end it is up to the audience to take sides (cf. Glaap 2003, p. 13). Questions the playwright poses at his audience are: 'Why did Furtwängler stay in Germany whereas many other artists emigrated? (How) Did he manage to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic without making a deal with high-rank Nazis? Did he make up for his guilt by helping some Jews to escape? Can Arnold be interpreted as advocate of the Third Reich's victims? (cf. ibid.). This essay is not meant to finally expose the truth about Furtwängler's guilt or innocence; other scholars have attempted to do that. Rather, my interest lies in revealing if Harwood succeeded in creating a neutral play that appeals to the audience to take sides without revealing his own personal opinion. With this working hypothesis I want to start by examining Harwood's motivation to write the play. As a next step the importance of the setting will be examined. When analysing Harwood's choice of characters and their function concerning their questioning or their support of Furtwängler, I will also examine Furtwängler's role in the Third Reich as background information. By doing that, arguments taking sides for or against Furtwängler will also be taken into account. Furthermore, I will give an overview of the critic's voice on Harwood's play. In my conclusion I want to answer the question if Harwood succeeded in not taking sides.

More books from GRIN Publishing

Cover of the book The Role of Women in Billy Wilder's 'The Fortune Cookie' by Katrin Schmidt
Cover of the book Poverty and Social Exclusion - Chronic Poverty in India by Katrin Schmidt
Cover of the book Motives of Lamentation in Art and Music by Katrin Schmidt
Cover of the book Sklaverei und Sklavenhandel in der Erinnerungskultur by Katrin Schmidt
Cover of the book The Palestinian Hamas between islamic religious tradition and modernity by Katrin Schmidt
Cover of the book Decentralisation within the EU: Committee of the Regions - an undemocratic talking workshop? by Katrin Schmidt
Cover of the book Consociational Democracy in Lebanon (1945-1975) by Katrin Schmidt
Cover of the book Revising concepts for interfirm collaboration - a case-based approach by Katrin Schmidt
Cover of the book Types of the sonnet in english and american literature by Katrin Schmidt
Cover of the book Daoismus - Entwicklung chinesischer Philosophie zur Religion by Katrin Schmidt
Cover of the book How 'Vote or Die!' Lured Youths to Vote in the 2004 American Presidential Elections by Katrin Schmidt
Cover of the book Music and Advertising in Television I by Katrin Schmidt
Cover of the book The Welfare Regime Debate and Health Care Provision by Katrin Schmidt
Cover of the book Der demographische Wandel und seine Folgen - ausgewählte Beispiele in einer Betrachtung anhand des rheinland-pfälzischen Landkreises Vulkaneifel (Daun) by Katrin Schmidt
Cover of the book The System of Wage-Setting Japan, Germany and the US: Towards Convergence? by Katrin Schmidt
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy