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Notebooks 1960-1977: An Intimate Journey into the Mind and Heart of Athol Fugard

Darrell Powell

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Published in Notebooks: 1960 1977 Athol Fugard

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Athol Fugard, the Nobel Prize-winning South African playwright, is renowned for his deeply moving and evocative works that explore the complexities of human existence under apartheid. His notebooks, spanning from 1960 to 1977, provide an unparalleled glimpse into the inner workings of his mind and the genesis of his extraordinary plays.

Early Years and the Influences of Beckett and Brecht

Fugard began his writing career in the late 1950s, heavily influenced by the absurdist theater of Samuel Beckett and the political commitment of Bertolt Brecht. His early notebooks reveal a young artist grappling with the existential questions of life and death, as well as the injustices of the apartheid system.

Notebooks: 1960-1977

by Athol Fugard

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	907 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	248 pages

In an entry from 1960, he writes: "The world is a madhouse, and I am a madman in it. I see things that others do not see, and I hear things that others do not hear. I am an outsider, a loner, a freak."

However, Fugard's notebooks also display a determination to find meaning and purpose in the face of adversity. He writes, "I will not give up. I will continue to write, to speak out against injustice, and to fight for what I believe in."

The Development of Fugard's Signature Style

As Fugard's writing matured, he developed a unique and distinctive style characterized by sparse dialogue, heightened emotionality, and a keen focus on the human condition. His notebooks from the 1960s and 1970s provide invaluable insights into the evolution of this style.

In a notebook entry from 1964, Fugard writes about the importance of "the moment" in his plays: "It is in the moment that the truth is revealed. It is in the moment that we are truly alive."

Fugard also experimented with different narrative forms, including stream-of-consciousness writing and the use of poetic language. In a notebook entry from 1968, he writes: "I want to write plays that are like poems, that are full of music and beauty, but that also speak to the heart of human suffering."

The Political and Social Context

Fugard's notebooks are inextricably linked to the political and social upheavals of South Africa during the 1960s and 1970s. He witnessed the Sharpeville Massacre, the banning of the African National Congress, and the implementation of increasingly oppressive apartheid laws.

His notebooks are filled with rage, despair, and a deep sense of urgency. In an entry from 1972, he writes: "My country is bleeding. My people are suffering. I cannot sit back and do nothing."

Fugard's political commitment extended beyond his writing. He was a vocal critic of apartheid, and his plays frequently challenged the system's injustices. His notebooks document his involvement in anti-apartheid organizations and his personal experiences with censorship and harassment.

The Creative Process and the Birth of Masterpieces

Fugard's notebooks also shed light on the creative process behind his greatest plays, including "The Island," "Master Harold...and the Boys," and "Sizwe Banzi is Dead."

In an entry from 1975, he writes about the genesis of "The Island": "The idea for this play came to me in a dream. I saw three men trapped on a small, desolate island, surrounded by the vastness of the ocean. I knew immediately that I had to write about their struggle for survival and their quest for meaning in a meaningless world."

Fugard's notebooks provide detailed sketches of characters, plot outlines, and lyrical passages that eventually found their way into his finished plays. They reveal the painstaking and often arduous process of turning raw inspiration into powerful and enduring works of art.

Legacy and Impact

Fugard's Notebooks 1960-1977 are not only a valuable historical record but also a literary masterpiece in their own right. They offer an unparalleled glimpse into the mind of one of the most important and influential playwrights of the 20th century.

Through his notebooks, Fugard not only documented the tumultuous events of his time but also articulated the hopes, fears, and aspirations of an entire people. His legacy as a defender of human rights and a chronicler of the human spirit continues to inspire and move audiences around the world.

Athol Fugard's Notebooks 1960-1977 are an essential resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the life and work of this extraordinary artist. They provide a rare and deeply personal account of the creative process, the political and social struggles of his time, and the enduring power of human storytelling.

Notebooks: 1960-1977

by Athol Fugard

5 out of 5