A Translation and Commentary on Maruxa Vilalta's

Abstract

Maruxa Vilalta is a multi-faceted writer of contemporary Mexican drama. Her plays, although of unquestioned literary value, are generally unavailable to the English speaking public. Mexican theater and salient dramatists since 1950 are considered, and a biographical study of Maruxa Vilalta and her works made. "A Matter of Noses", which premiered on September 9, 1966, won great critical acclaim throughout the Spanish speaking world. It demonstrates Maruxa Vilalta's theatrical skills and exemplifies her antiwar philosophies as well as her concern for the struggle of people to overcome the dehumanizing forces of their environment. The play is a tragic farce which juxtaposes the childishness and ridiculousness of the fights between people for trivial motives with the senselessness of the wars that the world espouses. "A Matter of Noses" and a panorama of pertinent critical commentaries are translated and discussed in order to make them accessible in English.