Context & Writer's Techniques

Context in 'Sweat'

Lynn Nottage: Life and Background

Early Life

• Born in 1964 in Brooklyn, New York, USA.

• Graduated from Brown University and the Yale School of Drama. Influences

• Inspired by her mother's activism and her own experiences growing up in Brooklyn.

• Her works often reflect her interest in social justice, historical memory, and the human consequences of economic hardship. Career

• Known for her work as a playwright focusing on social issues and marginalized voices.

• First woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice: for "Ruined" (2009) and "Sweat" (2017).

Lynn Nottage

Relevance to "Sweat"

• Draws on her research in Reading, Pennsylvania, one of the poorest cities in the USA.
• Explores themes of economic displacement, race, and friendship in a working-class community.

History of "Sweat"

Writing and Performance

• Written in 2015, premiered at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

• Opened Off-Broadway at the Public Theater in 2016 before transferring to Broadway in 2017. Performance History

• Continues to be performed widely due to its powerful social commentary and relevance to contemporary issues.

• Noted for its strong character development and realistic portrayal of working-class life. Reception

• Received widespread acclaim for its timely exploration of economic hardship and social issues.

• Won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2017.

Literary Contexts

Genre of the Play

• Drama: Classified as a contemporary drama that blends realism with social commentary.

• Focuses on the lives of ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges.

• Social Realism: Employs social realism to depict the struggles of working-class Americans.

• Highlights the impact of deindustrialization and economic decline on individuals and communities. Historical and Political Context

• Early 21st Century America: Set in the early 2000s, during a period of economic downturn and industrial decline.

• Reflects the political and economic landscape, including the decline of manufacturing jobs and the rise of economic inequality. Cultural and Social Context

• Economic Displacement: Explores the effects of factory closures and job losses on a tight-knit community.

• Depicts the breakdown of social ties and the rise of tensions related to job security and economic survival.

• Race and Class: Addresses issues of race and class, highlighting the intersection of economic hardship and racial tensions.

• Characters grapple with their identities and relationships amid economic instability. Philosophical Context

• American Dream and Its Discontents: Questions the viability of the American Dream in the face of economic realities.

• Characters' struggles reflect broader societal questions about opportunity, success, and fairness.

• Moral Dilemmas: The play delves into moral questions about loyalty, betrayal, and justice.

• Characters face ethical dilemmas that test their beliefs and values.

• Human Resilience and Despair:

• Explores themes of human resilience, friendship, and the search for dignity in difficult circumstances.

• Highlights both the strengths and the vulnerabilities of the human spirit.

Useful Contextual Concepts

• Social Realism: Understand the characteristics of social realism, including its focus on depicting the lives and struggles of ordinary people.
• Race and Class: Recognize the intersection of race and class issues, and how economic hardship exacerbates social tensions.
• Human Resilience: Look for themes of human resilience and despair, as characters navigate personal and economic challenges.
• Economic Displacement: Be aware of the impact of economic displacement on communities, particularly in the context of deindustrialization and job loss.
• American Dream: Familiarize with the concept of the American Dream and its critique within the play, focusing on the disparity between ideals and reality.

Writer's Techniques in 'Sweat'

Realism

Authentic Dialogue

• Nottage employs realistic dialogue to capture the speech patterns and vernacular of the working-class characters.

Detailed Setting

• The play's setting in a bar in Reading, Pennsylvania, during the early 2000s, is meticulously detailed to reflect the economic decline of the area.

Flashbacks and Non-linear Structure

Temporal Shifts

• Nottage uses flashbacks to juxtapose the characters' lives before and after the factory layoffs, highlighting changes and the impact of economic decline.

Character Development

• The non-linear structure allows for deeper character development by revealing their past and motivations gradually.

Symbolism

The Bar as a Microcosm

• The bar symbolizes the community and the collapse of the American Dream for the working class.

Lockers

• The lockers in the factory symbolize the workers' identities and the stability they once had.

Socio-political Commentary

Economic Injustice

• Nottage critiques economic policies and corporate greed that devastate working-class communities.

Race and Discrimination

• The play addresses racial tensions and the impact of systemic discrimination.

Use of Tension and Conflict

Interpersonal Conflicts

• Nottage uses conflicts between characters to drive the narrative and illustrate broader societal issues.

Inner Turmoil

• Characters' internal struggles are portrayed through their interactions and decisions, adding layers to their development.

Symbolic Actions

Use of Physical Actions

• Physical actions and confrontations in the play symbolize deeper emotional and societal struggles.