Carreras, DanielaBarrowTheatreMay 11, 2014Extended Essay OutlineI. Introduction: A. Topic: How does the 2007 Broadway production of Spring Awakening convey the structure of an authoritarian society and its harmful effects on the musical's youth?B. Thesis: Through the use of juxtaposition in characterization, staging, and text (script), the 2007 Broadway production of Spring Awakening provides clear social commentary on the structure of an oppressive authoritarian society and its devastating effects on the characters teenagers of the musical.C . Why did I select this topic? I really enjoyed watching this musical in New York and was immediately fascinated by all the taboo themes it seemed to incorporate into one show. The social commentary behind the play as well as the stories of characters like Moritz, Melchior, and Wendla made me want to examine the script and production in depth.D. Synopsis of music and what an authoritarian society is.• An authoritarian society is one in which those in power “[foster and enforce] strict obedience to authority…at the expense of personal freedom” (Abate). Authoritarian societies have strict rules and severe consequences if those rules are broken. However, unlike an authoritarian society, an authoritarian society imposes rules without motivation or without providing reasons why these rules are implemented, “'we have rules in this house. Your father will not be disobeyed” (Sater 43). [I'll try to find more information about it.]E. How is it specific? Not only am I watching just one musical in particular, as opposed to a plethora of plays that in one way or another conveyed a world of teenage angst and oppression; just a production of “Sp...... middle of paper ......ed to choose whether to run away or resist. • Moritz commits suicide due to the guilt, shame and stress caused by failing his final exams and not moving on to the next class. • Melchior loses his two best friends, is sent to reform school and almost commits suicide. • Hanschen is left “the System to work for him” (Sater 77). While it's an interesting idea, the concept is completely wrong, the system will eventually take over. As shown in the foreshadowing in Act 2 Scene 5, even though Hanschen and Ernst have their intimate moment and are not caught, they sing the same song that Melchior and Wendla sing in Act 1, "The Word of Your Body" which says “Or, you will be hurt” (Sater 78) meaning that the relationship probably won't last once the adults find out about the boys' homosexuality and everything will fall apart just like it did for Wendla and Melchior.