The comic vision in contemporary British drama*

Abstract

There has long been controversy as to the necessity and validity of generic distinctions in literature, especially dramatic literature. Some of the earliest critical comment on literature was concerned with generic distinction and as Aristotle’s ideas (the earliest extant critical comment on literary genre) were firmly based on a study of plays performed at the time it would seem that he recognized that a generic type represented a particular attitude and vision of life on the part of the author.