Literature Library author

Archibald MacLeish

A concise guide to Archibald MacLeish's body of work, major titles, and recurring themes.

AP-referenced author
Languages
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Regions / countries
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Forms
Verse drama based on the Book of Job
Indexed works
1

Author overview

Archibald MacLeish (1892–1982) was a poet, playwright, and essayist whose body of work spans verse drama based on the book of job. This writing is associated with United States. Major works and useful reading starting points include J.B. and The Fall of the City. Key themes include Innocent suffering without a neat cause, Love as answer rather than explanation, Masks, authority, and performance, and Rebellion, obedience, and a third choice.

Reading pathway

Begin with J.B..

Representative starting points

J.B.

Inside an abandoned circus, two actors stage a modern Job story and discover that explanations for innocent suffering fail where ordinary human love still makes life possible.

All published guides by this author

Biography, authority, and bibliography sources

This independent author guide supports reading and discussion. Curriculum badges show useful AP or IB connections without making this an official AP or IB publication.