Realism Revisited: Language as Reflection in ‘The Humans’ through Lukács and Austin Lenses

Abstract

This study employs Georg Lukács’s social realism and J.L. Austin’s speech act theory to analyse Stephen Karam’s play “The Humans” to explore the relationship between societal realism and linguistic utterances in play. Using a qualitative analysis approach, the researchers identified instances of social realism and speech acts in text. It examines how the play portrays everyday struggles and societal issues while also delving into the impact of language on interpersonal relationships. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, this study provides valuable insights into how language reflects societal realities within the context of play. In “The Humans,” the study contributes to scholarly discourse by emphasizing the significance of characters' speech acts in conveying societal dynamics.