The binary nature of relationships in two David Mamet duologues : A life in the theatre and Oleanna

Although David Mamet is one of the most frequently studied of the postmodern American playwrights, scholarly criticism has neglected to examine the dynamic that is unique to his two-person plays, or duologues. This study explores various aspects of that duologic dynamic, concentrating on two of Mamet's two-person plays, A Life in the Theatre and Oleanna. The relationships in both plays are sustained by the characters' desire for power. As is typical of a Mametian play, power is obtained through language and dialogue. The fact that there are two characters in each of the plays serves to intensify the conflict and to remind the audience of the binary nature inherent in drama.Department of EnglishThesis (M.A.