This paper aims to propose a model for interpreting and understanding the cultural worlds represented in a dramatic play text. The qualitative method which this study captures as a hermeneutic understanding process is utilised to explicate how folkism and hermeneutics work in play analysis and how both can be used in analysing and understanding the culture embedded in dramatic play texts.
In the humanities, interpretative tools in research are a means to an end, and are often deployed as keys to analysing works. As such, exploring how analysis is carried out in a dramatic play text is paramount in theatre studies. However, there seem to be a dearth of theories that can be used in interpreting and analysing play texts which document cultural nuances in theatre studies. It is a known fact that in every dramatic play text, characters are represented in action often within a cultural setting; as such, interpretation and analysis requires readers to dig into the dialogue in order to uncover the cultural world inherent in the play by paying rapt attention to context. This is with a view to interpreting and understanding the concerns of the folk as captured in a play.
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Introduction
- The Interplay between Dramatic Play Texts and Folkism
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to propose a model for interpreting and understanding the cultural worlds represented in dramatic play texts. It explores how folkism and hermeneutics can be used to analyze and understand the culture embedded in these texts. The study utilizes a qualitative method, employing a hermeneutic understanding process to explicate the interplay between folkism and hermeneutics in play analysis.
- Analyzing dramatic play texts using a folk-hermeneutic approach.
- Exploring the relationship between dramatic play texts and the culture they represent.
- Understanding the role of folkism in interpreting and analyzing Nigerian plays.
- Developing a conceptual framework for analyzing cultural nuances in dramatic play texts.
- Examining the use of language and cultural elements in Nigerian drama.
Chapter Summaries
Abstract: This abstract introduces the paper's focus on using interpretative tools, particularly a folk-hermeneutic approach, to analyze dramatic play texts and uncover the cultural nuances embedded within them. It highlights the scarcity of suitable theoretical frameworks for this task and emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural context inherent in the plays to interpret the concerns of the folk accurately.
Introduction: The introduction establishes the paper's objective: to contribute to a better understanding of how folkism and hermeneutics can be combined to effectively analyze dramatic play texts. It underscores the importance of interrogating existing knowledge and proposing new interpretations in academic pursuits, particularly within the context of analyzing plays. It sets the stage for the development of a conceptual framework based on folkism and hermeneutic philosophy.
The Interplay between Dramatic Play Texts and Folkism: This chapter delves into the relationship between dramatic play texts and the culture they represent. It traces the origins of drama to ancient rituals and discusses the challenges of interpreting play texts due to their often-minimal descriptions and potential gaps in information. The chapter emphasizes the role of Nigerian playwrights in capturing societal aspects and projecting cultural nuances through their work. It explores how playwrights use language, including proverbs, folksongs, and riddles, to convey cultural elements and counter arguments suggesting that only plays devoid of specific African references achieve international acceptance. The chapter introduces folkism as a response to the criticism of Nigerian literary plays being inaccessible and irrelevant to the populace due to their complex language and style. Ukala’s concept of folkism as an indigenous dramatic aesthetic principle, grounded in the culture and mores of the people, is discussed in detail, along with its role as a remedy for the deficiencies of African literary theatre.
Keywords
Dramatic play texts, folk hermeneutics, folkism, Nigerian drama, cultural analysis, qualitative research, interpretative methods, cultural nuances, play analysis, language in drama.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Folk-Hermeneutic Approach to Analyzing Dramatic Play Texts
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper focuses on developing and applying a folk-hermeneutic approach to analyze dramatic play texts, particularly Nigerian drama. The goal is to understand the cultural nuances and meanings embedded within these texts, recognizing the limitations of existing theoretical frameworks.
What methodology does the paper utilize?
The paper employs a qualitative research method, using a hermeneutic understanding process to interpret the interplay between folkism and hermeneutics in analyzing the selected dramatic play texts. This involves interpreting the cultural context inherent in the plays to accurately understand the perspectives and concerns represented.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include analyzing dramatic play texts through a folk-hermeneutic lens, exploring the relationship between these texts and the cultures they represent, understanding the role of folkism in interpreting Nigerian plays, developing a framework for analyzing cultural nuances in dramatic play texts, and examining the use of language and cultural elements in Nigerian drama.
What is folkism, and how does it relate to the analysis of dramatic play texts?
Folkism, as defined by Ukala, is an indigenous dramatic aesthetic principle rooted in the culture and traditions of a people. The paper argues that folkism provides a valuable framework for analyzing Nigerian plays, addressing criticisms that some plays are inaccessible or irrelevant to the wider populace due to complex language and style. It acts as a remedy for the deficiencies often found in African literary theatre.
How does the paper address the challenges of interpreting dramatic play texts?
The paper acknowledges the challenges of interpreting play texts, particularly due to minimal descriptions and potential information gaps. It highlights the importance of considering the cultural context, the use of language (proverbs, folksongs, riddles), and the playwrights' intentions in capturing societal aspects and projecting cultural nuances.
What are the key chapters and their contents?
The paper includes an abstract introducing the folk-hermeneutic approach, an introduction outlining the objectives and theoretical framework, and a main chapter exploring the interplay between dramatic play texts and folkism, examining the role of Nigerian playwrights and the use of language in conveying cultural elements.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include: Dramatic play texts, folk hermeneutics, folkism, Nigerian drama, cultural analysis, qualitative research, interpretative methods, cultural nuances, play analysis, language in drama.
What is the overall contribution of this paper?
The paper aims to contribute a new model for interpreting and understanding the cultural worlds represented in dramatic play texts. It proposes a novel approach using a combination of folkism and hermeneutics, offering a more nuanced and culturally sensitive method of analysis for scholars and researchers in the field.
- Quote paper
- Ihuoma Okorie (Author), 2022, The Use of Folk-Hermeneutics in Analysing Dramatic Play Texts, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1248216
