What is the "preface" to Miss Julie?

August Strindberg (1849-1912), author of Miss Julie, is now regarded as one of the most influential playwrights of the 19th century. He struggled with the limited thinking of the time, and the non-accepting nature of many of his day. Most of the citizens of the era were unwilling to look at change in a positive light, thereby stagnating many of the creative minds that were desperate to put their thoughts down on paper. Strindberg was not one of those stifled by society. He took a risk to publish his writings, and is now respected for his daring writing nature, and credited with breaking the ice to stereotypical art of the time.

In his preface, Strindberg puts emphasis on those characteristics of the play that he deems to be most important, and conveys his feelings with emotional fervor, yet maintains professionalism in stating facts surrounding each situation that arises. We are compelled to listen to his rationale, given the passionate nature it is presented in, while still in awe that he had the courage to state his opinion in such an open way in the 1800s.