The Postmodern Features in David Mamet‟s American Buffalo

Abstract

This research looks into David Mamet‟s American Buffalo from the postmodernist perspective that digs out the postmodern features inherent in the play. American Buffalo foregrounds the notions of self-reflexive referentiality by challenging the notion of language, character and history. It basically focuses on betrayal, treachery, crisis, alienation, absurdism and other postmodern features prevailed in the play. Similarly it also focuses on fragmentation inherent in every character. But they do not lament over the loss. The activities which the characters are performing have at all no meaning in their life. It is the activities of their life. Here the attempt has been made to define the indefinable concept postmodern with reference to prominent theories. The protagonist makes the scheme of burglary but he was deceived by his own colleagues. The act of betrayal became the violation of works ethics. Mamet juxtaposes two characters, Bob and Teach as the counterparts of Don. They are of different nature. Teach is the devotional and aggressive character whereas Bob is betrayal and cheater.. As a result the scheme turns in vain and Bob