Goat Song

By Franz Werfel

"Goat Song" is a haunting and visceral expressionist drama that explores the profound social and psychological upheaval triggered by the emergence of a hidden, monstrous force. Set in the Slavic countryside during the late eighteenth century, the play follows the chaos that ensues when a secret kept for decades by a wealthy peasant family is finally unleashed. This revelation ignites a chaotic revolution among the local populace, blurring the lines between the human and the animalistic.

Franz Werfel's work serves as a powerful allegory for the primal instincts that lie beneath the surface of civilization. Through its intense imagery and tragic scope, the play examines themes of shame, fear, and the inevitable collapse of order in the face of the inexplicable. As the "goat song"-the literal translation of the Greek word for tragedy-unfolds, the characters are forced to confront the dark legacy of their past and the fragility of their social structures. "Goat Song" remains a significant example of early twentieth-century dramatic literature, capturing the existential anxieties and the turbulent, revolutionary spirit of its era.

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025681886
• ISBN13: 9781025681887
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.2"