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Miss Julie: A Classic of Swedish Literature by August Strindberg

Seth Hayes

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Miss. Julie

by August Strindberg

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	479 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	102 pages

Miss Julie is a powerful and moving play by August Strindberg, one of the most influential playwrights of all time. The play explores the complex and tragic relationship between Miss Julie, a young aristocrat, and Jean, her father's valet.

The play is set in a rural estate in Sweden in the late 19th century. Miss Julie is a young woman who is bored with her life and longs for something more. She is attracted to Jean, a handsome and ambitious young man who is beneath her social station. Jean, for his part, is drawn to Miss Julie's beauty and intelligence. However, he is also aware of the social barriers that separate them.

The play follows the relationship between Miss Julie and Jean as it develops from flirtation to passion to tragedy. The play is a powerful exploration of the themes of class conflict, love, and betrayal.

Characters

Miss Julie: A young aristocrat who is bored with her life and longs for something more.
Jean: Miss Julie's father's valet. He is a handsome and ambitious young man who is beneath Miss Julie's social station.
Kristin: Miss Julie's cousin. She is a kind and sympathetic woman who is aware of the social barriers between Miss Julie and Jean.
The Count: Miss Julie's father. He is a stern and unforgiving man who disapproves of his daughter's relationship with Jean.

Themes

Class conflict: The play explores the social barriers that separate Miss Julie and Jean. The Count disapproves of his daughter's relationship with a man who is beneath her social station. Jean, for his part, is aware of the social barriers that separate him from Miss Julie.
Love: The play explores the complex and passionate relationship between Miss Julie and Jean. The two characters are drawn to each other despite the social barriers that separate them.
Betrayal: The play explores the theme of betrayal. Miss Julie betrays her father by having a relationship with Jean. Jean betrays Miss Julie by revealing her secret to the Count.

Critical Reception

Miss Julie has been praised by critics for its powerful exploration of the themes of class conflict, love, and betrayal. The play has been translated into dozens of languages and has been performed all over the world.

In his review of the play, George Bernard Shaw wrote, "Miss Julie is a masterpiece of dramatic art. It is a play that is both moving and thought-provoking." Harold Clurman wrote, "Miss Julie is one of the most powerful and moving plays I have ever seen."

Legacy

Miss Julie is a classic of Swedish literature. The play has had a profound impact on theater and literature around the world. The play has been adapted into several films and television productions. Miss Julie continues to be performed all over the world and is considered to be one of the most important plays of the 19th century.