GJ

George Jean Nathan

82quotes

George Jean Nathan
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Full Name and Common Aliases


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George Jean Nathan was a renowned American critic, editor, and playwright. He is often referred to as the "Father of Modern Drama" due to his extensive work in promoting and critiquing modern theater.

Birth and Death Dates


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Nathan was born on February 28, 1882, and passed away on April 8, 1959.

Nationality and Profession(s)


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George Jean Nathan was an American of Hungarian descent. He worked as a critic for various publications, including the _New York Herald Tribune_ and _Theatre Magazine_, and served as the editor-in-chief of _The Theatre Arts Monthly_. As a playwright, he wrote several notable works, but his true passion lay in critiquing and promoting modern drama.

Early Life and Background


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Nathan was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His family moved to New York City when he was young, where he developed an interest in the arts. Nathan's early life was marked by a passion for literature and theater, which would eventually shape his career as a critic and playwright.

Growing up, Nathan was heavily influenced by the works of William Shakespeare, Henrik Ibsen, and other prominent playwrights. He attended Harvard University, where he began to develop his writing skills and explore the world of modern drama. After graduating from Harvard, Nathan moved to New York City to pursue a career in theater criticism.

Major Accomplishments


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Nathan's most significant accomplishments as a critic include:

Founding The Theatre Arts Monthly: In 1924, Nathan co-founded _The Theatre Arts Monthly_, which became one of the leading publications for theater enthusiasts. He served as editor-in-chief until his retirement in 1948.
 Promoting Modern Drama: Nathan played a crucial role in promoting modern drama in America. He championed the works of playwrights like Eugene O'Neill, T.S. Eliot, and Arthur Miller, helping to establish them as major figures in American theater.

Notable Works or Actions


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Some of Nathan's notable works include:

The Theatre Book: This collection of essays, published in 1958, showcases Nathan's insights on modern drama and his experiences as a critic.
 Nathan's Notes: Throughout his career, Nathan maintained a series of notebooks containing notes, critiques, and ideas for future projects. These notebooks offer a unique glimpse into the mind of one of America's most influential theater critics.

Impact and Legacy


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George Jean Nathan's impact on American theater cannot be overstated. He played a pivotal role in promoting modern drama and shaping the country's theatrical landscape. Nathan's critiques and recommendations helped establish playwrights like Eugene O'Neill as major figures in American theater, while his work with _The Theatre Arts Monthly_ provided a platform for emerging writers and artists.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


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Nathan is widely quoted and remembered due to his influential writings on modern drama. His critiques, which often focused on the importance of realism and experimentation in theater, continue to inspire playwrights and critics today. Nathan's passion for promoting new talent and innovative works helped shape the course of American theater, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to be felt.

As an individual who played a pivotal role in shaping modern drama in America, George Jean Nathan's influence can still be seen in contemporary theater. His quotes and writings continue to inspire new generations of playwrights, critics, and theater enthusiasts, ensuring his place as one of the most important figures in American theater history.

Quotes by George Jean Nathan

George Jean Nathan's insights on:

All art is a kind of subconscious madness expressed in terms of sanity.
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All art is a kind of subconscious madness expressed in terms of sanity.
GJ
The notion that as a man grows older, his illusions leave him is not quite true. What is true is that his early illusions are supplanted by new, and to him, equally convincing illusions.
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The notion that as a man grows older, his illusions leave him is not quite true. What is true is that his early illusions are supplanted by new, and to him, equally convincing illusions.
GJ
Theatre is what literature does at night.
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Theatre is what literature does at night.
GJ
The theatre is an escape from reality.
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The theatre is an escape from reality.
GJ
[A] man reserves his true and deepest love not for the species of woman in whose company he finds himself electrified and enkindled, but for that one in whose company he may feel tenderly drowsy.
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[A] man reserves his true and deepest love not for the species of woman in whose company he finds himself electrified and enkindled, but for that one in whose company he may feel tenderly drowsy.
GJ
Like everybody else, when I don’t know what else to do, I seem to go in for catching colds.
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Like everybody else, when I don’t know what else to do, I seem to go in for catching colds.
GJ
Whenever a man encounters a woman in a mood he doesn’t understand, he wants to know if she’s tired.
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Whenever a man encounters a woman in a mood he doesn’t understand, he wants to know if she’s tired.
GJ
A man’s wife is his compromise with the illusion of his first sweetheart.
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A man’s wife is his compromise with the illusion of his first sweetheart.
GJ
An abstainer is the sort of man you wouldn’t want to drink with even if he did.
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An abstainer is the sort of man you wouldn’t want to drink with even if he did.
GJ
Criticism is the art of appraising others at one’s own value.
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Criticism is the art of appraising others at one’s own value.
GJ
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