Alienation Effect

Alienation Effect
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Alienation Effect
According to Brecht (1948), the alienation effect is an effect that theatre incorporates in art where allows the audience to recognize the subject of the art while still making it unfamiliar. He preferred using the alienation effect as opposed to the usual manipulation of emotions by theatre then. The effect would be a source of entertainment or surprise to the audience. Alienation effect is a powerful theatre tool. This essay, therefore, draws examples from the Phoenix movie to show how alienation effect is powerful and effective.
Alienation effect involves films or art where a character plays conflicting roles (Brecht, 1948). The audience is thus not sure whether the character is supposed to be either the good or the bad character. This creates suspense in the film thus entertainment to the audience. When the audience finally understands which role the character truly represents, they are surprised. For example in the movie “Phoenix”, Jonny plays the role of the loving husband and the betraying husband to Nelly. The audience is surprised upon finding out at the end of the story that Jonny is the in fact just a betraying husband who is o...