Paper Summary:

Examining the themes of fantasy, reality, sanity and insanity. This essay both analyzes and criticizes Nowra's work in relation to other works by the same author and those of other contemporary and historical authors. Specifically examining recurring themes and motifs within the play. Shows how the play is part of the larger structure of Australian writing.

From the Paper:

"Louis Nowra is one of Australia's most noted dramatists of recent years. His early plays are generally concerned with political and social events in other countries such as Russia and Paraguay, (The Precious Woman and Visions) for which he has been criticised. As an Australian playwright the general criticism of his early work is that he should represent Australian issues rather than being concerned with the happenings in other countries. These plays did however have some allegorical relationship to Australian society but as they were not set in Australia this relationship was often difficult to see. His later plays however are set in Australia and examine the society of which they are a part, Cosi is one of these plays and rather than being overtly political in its nature it is an intimate exploration of representations and common perceptions of sanity and insanity within Australian society. The play is set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War in the 1970's and so follows Nowra's usual style in that it is set against a major historical event. Nowra uses a mixture of fantasy and reality in the play's structure and content to explore and explode commonly held perceptions of mental illness and the people that it affects."

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