Representation of Gender and Power in Modern British and American Drama

Abstract

Modern British and American drama serves as a powerful medium for exploring the complex relationship between gender and power in twentieth-century society. As drama directly represents human interaction, conflict, and social structures, it becomes an effective genre for examining how power operates through gender roles within family, marriage, sexuality, language, and social institutions. This research paper investigates the representation of gender and power in selected modern British and American plays through feminist and power-oriented critical perspectives. Drawing on the works of George Bernard Shaw, John Osborne, Caryl Churchill, Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, and Edward Albee, the study analyzes how patriarchal authority is constructed, challenged, and destabilized on stage. The paper argues that modern drama exposes gender-based inequalities while simultaneously reflecting the anxieties and transformations of modern society. By portraying resistance, domination, and negotiation of power, modern British and American drama contributes significantly to the rethinking of gender relations and social authority.