Social Criticism in the Major Plays of Elmer Rice

This thesis proposes a study of social criticism in the major plays of the American dramatist Elmer Rice. It is mainly concerned with showing Rice's prominence as a social dramatist and the reasons for his neglect by his critics. The thesis attempts to prove that Rice's nature as a social critic was directly affected by the political, economic and social conditions which were contemporary to his works. It also shows that Rice's adoption of social criticism in his plays was a means towards diagnosing the ills of the American social life. His Utopian and social attitude was said to have played a very important part in shaping his criticism of the shortcomings of his society. Springing from a deep sense of patriotism, his social criticism has always been seen as a main aspect in his social plays. Furthermore, the thesis has put a great emphasis on the fact that Rice's social criticism was mainly launched against capitalism which reflected his attitude as a Fabian socialist.To emphasize the credibility of this idea, the thesis has given a full analysis of the themes of Rice's major plays. Its target has been an attempt to give an evidence of Rice's valuable social works.