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In light of Frank Kermode's suggestion that the extent of tragedy and the absence of justice in a narrative force audiences to confront issues of guilt, fate, and helplessness, how does the disruption of conventional narrative expectations contribute to a deeper understanding of the human experience and reality within the context of the work being discussed?

User Dan Gurgui
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Final answer:

Disrupting conventional narrative expectations in literature and theatre encourages a deeper contemplation of life's complexities, connecting audiences to the realism and ethical dilemmas within the human experience. Tragedy as a genre specifically amplifies this effect through critical engagement with moral quandaries, resonating on a deeply personal level.

Step-by-step explanation:

In light of Frank Kermode's suggestion, the disruption of conventional narrative expectations forces audiences to confront challenging themes like guilt, fate, and helplessness, thereby obtaining a deeper understanding of the human experience. By eschewing the traditional notions of a narrative that operates under cause-and-effect principles, authors and playwrights invite us to question the realities of life and our moral compass. The absence of a neat resolution and the presence of unresolved tragedy compels us to reflect more deeply on our very existence and the complexities therein.

Through theatre, particularly modern tragedies, we face realism that connects directly with our lives. The common ground we share with onscreen characters blurs the lines between the fictional and real world. Moreover, when theatres serve as venues for discussing taboo topics, an exploration into our collective psyche and actions is facilitated, which in turn can evoke empathy, introspection, and a potentially transformative experience.

Theatre's power resides not just in presenting a story on stage but also in disrupting the viewer's comfort zone, thus questioning complacency and presenting human predicaments that resonate on a personal level. This kind of artistic engagement with societal ills and personal crises similarly aligns with the aim of literature to form a dialectic between the text and real life. It encourages self-reflection and challenges preconceived notions, often leaving the audience grappling with the characters' decisions and drawing parallels to their own lives.

The complexity of the human condition is further scrutinized through tragedy. Here, ethical dilemmas demand introspection and confrontations with uncomfortable truths. The genre's insistence on a protagonist's ethical choices, rather than simple black-and-white resolutions, mirrors our daily struggles, making tragedy a profound vehicle for exploring the human moral compass.

User Ionut Costica
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