Representation of Modern Man in The Cocktail Party by T.S. Eliot Asena Ayca Ozsun College

Modernism was a radical method that yearned to revitalize the way modern-day civilization considered life, art, politics, and science. This rebellious mindset flourished between 1900 and 1930. With the arrival of World War II, modern-day civilization’s psychology changed with a deeper aspect. People started to feel alienated, isolated and dehumanized. Reality became a major question in modern life. The effects of war and other developments became the result of some of the features of modernism that shaped the themes of literature and literary works. Among these literary works, especially drama took a great step with its theme and structure. Some plays mirrored human psychology and philosophy with modern lifestyle. The Cocktail Party by T.S. Eliot is one of the perfect examples of modern human’s inner progress. Characters of the play represent modern problems within modern people quite successfully and the play contains feelings, thoughts, and perspectives that appeal to the people of every century.

Psychology and Philosophy of The Cocktail Party’s Characters

The play starts with monotonous talk of the middle class. It is an ordinary cocktail party organized by Lavinia Chamberlayne. Edward Chamberlayne, her husband tries to make...