How did August Strindberg's later plays differ from his Naturalist dramas?

August Strindberg’s later works marked a significant departure from the Naturalism of his earlier plays, such as Miss Julie and The Father. While his Naturalist period was defined by stark realism, brutal action, and colloquial dialogue, his later career evolved toward a phantasmagoric and symbolic style that helped pioneer Expressionist drama.1

This transition was largely influenced by a period of mental instability and a subsequent religious conversion, which infused his writing with mysticism. Key differences in his later plays include:1

• Shift in Focus: Rather than focusing on contemporary social conventions and psychological realism, his later works—such as To Damascus, A Dream Play, and The Ghost Sonata—explored spiritual themes and the subjective experience of life.1
• Stylistic Evolution: He moved away from the "ne plus ultra" of naturalistic staging toward a symbolic, dreamlike presentation of reality.1
• Structural Innovation: His Kammarspel ("Chamber Plays") and other late works utilized fantastic elements that anticipated major developments in 20th-century European theatre.1