In his early stage plays, Foote is attracted to classicism so he makes use of the classical one-act from and observes the unities . Like Ibsen , he employs the tradition of the well-made play and the expressionistic technique . His expressionism , moreover , has helped him to develop an early from of psychological realism . In the later stage plays , Foote draws heavily on psychological realism , and his technique grows subtler and suggestive . With regard to the playwright's experience and insight as a mature old man , he puts inconclusive closures for his plays and covers them with a sense of gloom .