America in Brian Friel's Plays

Abstract

This paper explores Friel's perspective towards America has changed, by examining his depiction of Irish American immigrants, his evocative portrayal of America as villain and his stylistic and thematic similarities to American playwrights Thorn Wilder and Tennessee Williams. At first, I investigate the discussion of emigration to America from the female perspective in The Loves of Cass McGuire and Translations. And then I examines the reasons behind his increasing disgust with American selfishness and the materialism, as typified in The Mundy Scheme and American Welcome. Lastly, I consider his debt to two American playwrights, Thornton Wilder and Tennessee Williams. As a result, I can understand the complexities of meaning America has for Friel.