Dramatism Theory

MOTIVESMOTIVES

THE MAKINGS OF A MASTERMIND

Kenneth BurkeKenneth Burke• May 5, 1897 to November 19, 1993• American literary theorist and philosopher• College dropout

Ohio State U = 1 semesterOhio State U = 1 semesterColumbia U = 1 year (vs. faculty invite)Columbia U = 1 year (vs. faculty invite)

• Achievements: Achievements: Dial Award (1928). Distinguished literary Dial Award (1928). Distinguished literary serviceserviceGuggenheim Fellowship (1935)Guggenheim Fellowship (1935)““The Dial” Mag’s Editor (1923) and The Dial” Mag’s Editor (1923) and Music Critic (1927-1929) Music Critic (1927-1929) ““The Nation” Music Critic (1934-1936)The Nation” Music Critic (1934-1936)

• No one philosophy but influenced by: No one philosophy but influenced by: Shakespeare, Aristotle, Karl Marx, Shakespeare, Aristotle, Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, Friedrich NietzscheSigmund Freud, Friedrich Nietzsche

THE MAKINGS OF A THEORY

Language

Dramatic Pentad

“What is involved when

+ Drama = Life

& why they are doing it.”we say what ppl are doing

BEHIND THE SCENES...

PENTADIC ANALYSISPENTADIC ANALYSIS

YOUYOU

learn & are learn & are limited only by limited only by what you see.what you see.

The STORYThe STORY

a slice of life a slice of life w/pearls of w/pearls of

wisdomwisdom

A Theory (way/tool)A Theory (way/tool)to get the story. to get the story. It is finite.It is finite.

The PENTADIC ANALYSISThe PENTADIC ANALYSIS

1. ACT : 1. ACT : What happened; What is going on?What happened; What is going on?

2. SCENE : 2. SCENE : Where is the Act happening? Where is the Act happening? Background Situation or Setting of an Act?Background Situation or Setting of an Act?

3. AGENT : 3. AGENT : Who is involved in the action? Who is involved in the action? What are the roles? What are the roles?

4. AGENCY : 4. AGENCY : How do the agent/s act? By what tools or means?How do the agent/s act? By what tools or means?

5. PURPOSE : 5. PURPOSE : Why do the agents act? What do they want?Why do the agents act? What do they want?

“ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE...”

And Understand: And Understand: • Your worldviewYour worldview• Motivation of peopleMotivation of people• Basis of conflictsBasis of conflicts• Empathy and identificationEmpathy and identification• + and – points of cooperation+ and – points of cooperation

Use the DRAMATIC PENTAD in: • Rhetoric (persuasive comm.)

• Analysis (criticism & study)

• Relationships (develop rapports)

Thank you.