The Chinese Wall (Masterplots II: Drama, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Max Frisch
- First Published: 1947
- Type of Plot: Farce; history
- Time of Work: The mid-twentieth century and c. 200
- Setting: China
- Principal Characters: The Contemporary Man, Hwang Ti, Mee Lan, Olan, A Mute, Romeo, Christopher Columbus,, Napoleon, Brutus, Philipp of Spain
- Genres: Drama, Problem play, Farce, History play, Epic theater
- Subjects: History, Values, Twentieth century, War, Kings, queens, or royalty, China or Chinese people, Shakespeare, William, or Shakespearean plays, Walls
- Locales: China
The Play
The Chinese Wall begins with a prologue in which the Contemporary Man appears in front of a middle curtain and addresses the audience. On that curtain is a depiction of the famous Great Wall of China. The Contemporary Man describes the wall from the perspective of the twentieth century—he explains that it is as long as the distance between New York and Berlin—and he asserts that it is merely one of the many unsuccessful efforts in history to make time come to a standstill, to stop the march of history. Then he announces who will soon appear onstage: Emperor...
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See Also:
Max Frisch (Cyclopedia of World Authors)Max Frisch (Long Fiction)Max Frisch (Drama)Max Frisch (Dictionary of World Biography)
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