Exploring the Features of Black Comedy in John John Guare's Works Focusing on Six Degrees of Separation

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Ramezanlou, Mehdi ¹

Narges Yazdi ²

¹ Iran University of Art, Tehran, Iran.

² Cinema and Theater Faculty, Iran University of Art, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22067/lts.2026.95761.1391

Abstract

Black comedy in American dramatic literature is one of the prominent and significant genres, blending humor with dark themes to critique social, political, and cultural issues. Utilizing satire and bitter humor, it challenges human tragedies and serious concerns, serving as a powerful tool for expressing social critiques. John Guare, through his caustic, pointed satire, delves into human relationships, social contradictions, and cultural hypocrisy, generating not only humorous moments but also impactful, thought-provoking scenes that invite viewers to contemplate and critique the surrounding world. Six degrees of separation, in particular, reflects his profound critique of the American Dream. Through dark humor and internal conflicts in his characters, he prompts the audience to reflect on the boundaries between reality and illusion, demonstrating that achieving the American Dream may not always lead to happiness and can even result in identity crises and personal failures.

Highlights

 

Keywords

John Guare

Black Comedy

Dramatic Literature

American Play

Six Degrees of Separation

Subjects

• English Language and Literature

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References