Here's why:
* Focus on everyday life: Realism emphasized portraying ordinary people and their struggles in a believable and authentic way. This contrasted with the melodramatic and romanticized plays that were prevalent earlier.
* Social issues: Realist playwrights often tackled social issues like poverty, inequality, and corruption, raising awareness and prompting discussion.
* Psychological depth: Realist characters were complex individuals with inner motivations and conflicts. This led to more nuanced and introspective plays.
* Naturalism: A subset of Realism, Naturalism, pushed the boundaries further by emphasizing determinism and portraying characters as products of their environment.
Key figures:
* Henrik Ibsen: Norwegian playwright whose works, like "A Doll's House" and "Ghosts," profoundly influenced American theater.
* August Strindberg: Swedish playwright who wrote stark and realistic plays about human relationships and societal conflicts.
* George Bernard Shaw: Irish playwright whose witty and satirical plays challenged social norms and conventions.
* Eugene O'Neill: American playwright who helped establish American Realism with plays like "Long Day's Journey into Night" and "Mourning Becomes Electra."
Realism's impact on American theater was significant. It:
* Promoted social commentary: Plays began to address pressing social issues, prompting audiences to reflect on the world around them.
* Introduced new dramatic forms: Realist playwrights experimented with structure, dialogue, and stagecraft, creating more innovative and engaging theater.
* Established a foundation for modern American drama: Realism paved the way for the development of American theater in the 20th century.
So, while other movements like Symbolism and Naturalism were also present, Realism was the dominant force shaping American theater at the end of the 19th century, laying the groundwork for the rich and diverse theatrical landscape that emerged in the following decades.