Ronald Harwood's Tragic Vision: A Critical Analysis of His Novels, Plays, and Screenplays

"Ronald Harwood's Tragic Vision: A Critical Analysis of His Novels, Plays, and Screenplays offers the first critical analysis of prolific and award-winning British author, Ronald Harwood. The title is taken from his play, After the Lions, in which Sarah Bernhardt, who has lost her leg in an accident, is still driven to perform and must accept a humiliating acting job. Harwood's own career is summarized by the comment, as well. Though he received an Oscar for The Pianist, a knighthood, and numerous other awards and nominations, he worked as a ghostwriter, script doctor, and veritable unknown for many years. As he became successful, many critics still misread his works. This study proposes a conceptual framework to approach his, and perhaps others', work based on the genre of tragedy that will offer a greater appreciation and understanding of the Harwood canon"--