Which term describes the depiction of subjective states through distortion and grotesque imagery in drama?

• A. Expressionism
• B. Irony
• C. Pantomime
• D. Joruri

Answer: (A)

Expressionism in drama focuses on conveying inner experience by bending reality to reflect how a character feels inside. Scenes, sets, and performances are often distorted or exaggerated—grotesque, angular shapes, harsh lighting, and symbolic imagery—all designed to externalize subjective states like anxiety, alienation, or despair rather than present objective events. This approach lets the audience feel the character’s psychological reality as if stepping into their mind, rather than simply watching a story unfold. It arose as a reaction to the pressures and dehumanization of modern life, using striking visuals to express emotional truth. Other terms describe different techniques: irony centers on the gap between expectations and reality, pantomime emphasizes silent physical storytelling, and Joruri refers to a traditional Japanese puppet theater—none of which foreground distortion and grotesque imagery to depict inner states in the same way.