George Pierce Baker
George Pierce Baker
George Pierce Baker was an American educator in the field of drama...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionEducator
Date of Birth4 April 1866
CountryUnited States of America
attains conduct dramatic human pleases reach revelation
When the drama attains a characterization which makes the play a revelation of human conduct and a dialogue which characterizes yet pleases for itself, we reach dramatic literature.
broader next shaped standards turn
Out of the past come the standards for judging the present; standards in turn to be shaped by the practice of present-day dramatists into broader standards for the next generation.
eagerly holding laughter mankind men mirror nature reveals tears welcomed
Sensitive, responsive, eagerly welcomed everywhere, the drama, holding the mirror up to nature, by laughter and by tears reveals to mankind the world of men.
acted requires
Acted drama requires surrender of one's self, sympathetic absorption in the play as it develops.
ages barbarism essence
Back through the ages of barbarism and civilization, in all tongues, we find this instinctive pleasure in the imitative action that is the very essence of all drama.
appeal best encourage foster limit poorest thereby weakest
We do not kill the drama, we do not really limit its appeal by failing to encourage the best in it; but we do thereby foster the weakest and poorest elements.
entirely great however stage
No drama, however great, is entirely independent of the stage on which it is given.