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Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind


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Set against the backdrop of a repressive and provincial late 19th-century Germany, Spring Awakening tells the timeless story of teenage self-discovery and budding sexuality as seen through the eyes of three teenagers. Haunting and provocative, Spring Awakening celebrates an unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, a poignancy and a passion you will never forget.

 

I had to read some parts of a study guide to understand this better, it's a little hard to get to some parts.

The play is set (and was written) at a time when sexuality was a forbidden topic to discuss. This situation leads the adolescents presented to much frustration, with often destructive results. They wonder, masturbate, rape, commit suicide and more.

The adults are the ones who are clearly criticized for their hypocrisy and lack of understanding.

 

There are a lot of tragedies taking place and a little hope, but it's certainly worth reading this brilliant work.

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I had to read some parts of a study guide to understand this better, it's a little hard to get to some parts.

The play is set (and was written) at a time when sexuality was a forbidden topic to discuss. This situation leads the adolescents presented to much frustration, with often destructive results. They wonder, masturbate, rape, commit suicide and more.

The adults are the ones who are clearly criticized for their hypocrisy and lack of understanding.

 

There are a lot of tragedies taking place and a little hope, but it's certainly worth reading this brilliant work.

 

Freud is in the background for Wedekind with the theory of repressed sexuality causing neurotic and destructive behavior.

 

Today of course, with neurochemistry dominant in psychiatry, Freud's theory is not all that important any more, but in culture he is still rather influential.

 

Wedekind has two other plays (Erdgeist ("Earth Spirit") and Pandoras B

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