Robert J. Andreach is a former university professor. He is the author of several books, most recently John Guare's Theatre, Len Jenkin's Theatre, and The Contemporary American Dramatic Trilogy.

This book examines plays by contemporary playwrights and compares them alongside the works of Eugene O'Neill, Arthur Miller, and Tennessee Williams. Andreach argues that tragedy is not only present in contemporary American theatre, but issues from an expectation fundamental to American culture: the pressure on characters to create themselves.

Introduction : Questioning Tragedy's Vitality and Relevance
Chapter One : Isolation and Loss of Life
Chapter Two : Loss of Hope and Suffering
Chapter Three : Eugene O'Neill
Chapter Four : Arthur Miller
Chapter Five : Tennessee Williams
Chapter Six : More Contemporary Tragedy
Conclusion : Questing for Tragedy's Vitality and Relevance
Notes
Index