The coming of peace (A family catastrophe)

Name: The coming of peace (A family catastrophe)
Author: Gerhart Hauptmann

By Gerhart Hauptmann

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

German Literature Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

The play unfolds on Christmas Eve in a rural family home where an aging head of household, his anxious wife, grown children, a neighbor and a long-serving servant gather as holiday rites mask simmering tensions. Gradually domestic rituals reveal secrets, inherited weaknesses, ideological clashes and moral compromises that threaten to fracture relationships. Scenes alternate ordinary detail and charged confrontations, exposing how private history and social expectation shape behavior across generations. The drama balances bleak revelations with restrained sympathy, suggesting both the weight of heredity and a cautious possibility that younger members may avoid repeating past errors.

About the Author

Gerhart Hauptmann

Gerhart Hauptmann was a prominent German playwright and novelist, known for his influential contributions to modern drama. Born in 1862, he became a leading figure in the naturalist movement, exploring themes of social realism and human psychology. His notable works include "Bahnwärter Thiel" and the dramatic trilogy "The Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann," which showcase his ability to blend poetic language with profound social commentary. Hauptmann's play "Atlantis" reflects his interest in philosophical and existential questions, while his exploration of family dynamics in "The Coming of Peace" highlights his deep understanding of human relationships. His legacy continues to resonate in the world of literature and theater.