Final answer:
The statement about the Theatre of the Absurd is true; it is a post-World War II form focusing on themes of alienation, illogic, and the absurdity of human existence as a response to the atrocities experienced during the war. It encapsulates works of playwrights like Eugene Ionesco, Samuel Beckett, and Edward Albee. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the Theatre of the Absurd is a post-World War II form that focused on humanity's sense of alienation and its loss of bearings in an illogical, unjust, and ridiculous world is true. This form of theatre emerged as a response to the horrors experienced during World War II, as playwrights grappled with concepts such as the meaningless of existence and the inadequacy of language to communicate effectively or to prevent atrocity.
The purpose of these plays was to convey the existential belief that life lacks inherent meaning and that human efforts to find order and logic are ultimately futile. Influential playwrights such as Eugene Ionesco and Samuel Beckett, and to some extent in the U.S., Edward Albee, created works that were characterized by repetitive or nonsensical dialogue and situations, illustrating a world that refuses to adhere to traditional expectations of story and character development. An example of a play reflective of this style is Beckett's Endgame, which showcased a minimalist stage setting and dialogue seeming to express an apocalyptic or nihilist vision.
Theatre, as an art form, serves as a medium through which artists deconstruct and examine conflict and its varied responses in society. It challenges audiences to reflect on their own conditions and the broader conditions of the human experience. Notably, Theatre of the Absurd represents a significant departure from traditional theatre, aligning more with postmodernist traditions and often perceived as the antithesis to conventional narrative structure and cultural norms.
Hence, Option a is correct.