Coming from one of the major innovators in modern drama, August Strindberg’s

[

, 1901] is in more ways than one a revolutionary theatrical piece. During the mid-1890s, Strindberg underwent a profound psychological and religious crisis, which he portrayed in his autobiographical novel,

(1897). Strindberg had been a life-long atheist, but his new interest in theosophy and mysticism caused him to read reality in a symbolic manner. This new perception precipitated a profound shift in his dramatic style. For this reason, his plays are traditionally classified as pre-

or post-

. The highly symbolic nature of

did not go over well in 1907 with its first Swedish audience, trained as it was to expect social realism. One reviewer claimed…

2194 words

Citation: Brantly, Susan. "Ett drömspel". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 11 November 2010 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=11351, accessed 22 November 2024.]

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