A Comparative Analysis of Americanness in the Play "One-Third of a Nation"

Seminar paper from the year 2020 in the subject Theater Studies, Dance, grade: 2,5, University of Erfurt, language: English, abstract: This paper attempts a comparative analysis of Americanness in the play "One-Third of a Nation". The title of the play was taken from the following statement in 1937 of Roosevelt: "I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished. ...". "One-Third of a Nation" became one of the most successful plays of Living Newspaper with 237 performances between 1937-1939.

As the editor playwright of the group, Arent intended to investigate the circumstances behind conditions rather than surface news. "One-Third of a Nation" traced the story of American tenement housing by reflecting various conditions with various people. This paper deals with the circumstances of the play and the reactions of the public. It sheds light on the accusations of both the leftist and the rightist and shows that the project is "as American as Walt Disney".