Last Words, a Play and a Critical and Creative Reflection
Date of Award
6-7-2010
Document Type
Undergraduate Capstone Project
Degree Name
Master of Liberal Studies
Organizational Unit
University College, Arts and Culture Management
Disciplines
Arts and Culture
First Advisor
Jennifer Zukowski Boughn
Keywords
Creative, Existentialism, Frankl, Last words, Playwrights, Theatre
Abstract
Last Words is a play about three characters who search for purpose in their lives as they face imminent death in a political prison. Inspired by Viktor Frankl's account of finding meaning in life while imprisoned in a concentration camp, Last Words provokes audience members to examine their own lives in order to find their own personal meaning of existence. The play also contains existential themes, such as the crisis of the modern world, free will, and the absurd. Playwrights Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus and Samuel Beckett explore similar existential themes in their plays, using characterization, language, and narrative structure to great effect. Life and death are humanity's universal mysteries; Last Words explores the absurd with hope, faith, and love.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.
Recommended Citation
Savage, Kimberly, "Last Words, a Play and a Critical and Creative Reflection" (2010). University College: Arts and Culture Management Capstones. 42.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/ucol_mals/42