Exploring Edward Albee's Masterpieces: A Comprehensive Casebook

Edward Albee (1928-2016) was one of the most influential and celebrated playwrights of the 20th century. His groundbreaking works revolutionized American theater, challenging audiences with their raw emotional power, complex characters, and philosophical insights.

Edward Albee: A Casebook (Casebooks on Modern Dramatists 29)

by Bruce Mann

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	532 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	163 pages

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This comprehensive casebook provides an in-depth exploration of Albee's major plays, including "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", "The Zoo Story," and "The American Dream." Each case study includes a detailed analysis of the play's text, characters, themes, and historical context.

Through this casebook, you will gain a deeper understanding of Albee's unique vision and his enduring legacy in modern drama.

Case Study: "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Edward Albee and his masterpiece "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Synopsis

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" tells the story of a middle-aged couple, George and Martha, who invite a young couple, Nick and Honey, over for a night of games. As the night progresses, the couples engage in a series of cruel and manipulative mind games, revealing their deep-seated frustrations and insecurities.

Characters

• George: A college professor who is bitter and resentful towards his wife, Martha.
• Martha: A wealthy and domineering woman who uses her wit and charisma to control her husband and guests.
• Nick: A young and ambitious biologist who is attracted to Martha's intelligence.
• Honey: A sweet and naive young woman who is drawn into the couple's destructive games.

Themes

• Marriage and relationships: The play explores the complexities and challenges of marriage, revealing the power dynamics, emotional manipulation, and deep-seated resentments that can exist within a relationship.
• The search for meaning: The characters in the play are all searching for meaning and purpose in their lives. They grapple with questions about their existence, their relationships, and their place in the world.
• The nature of reality: Albee creates a world in which reality is fluid and subjective. The characters' perceptions and memories of events are constantly shifting, blurring the line between truth and fiction.

Historical Context

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" was written in 1962, during a time of great social and political change in the United States. The play reflects the growing disillusionment and anxiety of the post-World War II generation, as well as the changing roles of men and women in society.

Quote

"What a dump. What a monstrous dump this is. I can't stand it any longer. I won't!"

-- Martha, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Case Study: "The Zoo Story"

Synopsis

"The Zoo Story" is a one-act play that tells the story of Jerry, a lonely and desperate man who strikes up a conversation with Peter, a middle-aged businessman, in Central Park Zoo. As Jerry's story unfolds, he reveals his alienation from society and his desire for human connection.

Characters

• Jerry: A lonely and alienated man who is desperate for human connection.
• Peter: A middle-aged businessman who is initially dismissive of Jerry but becomes increasingly drawn into his story.

Themes

• Loneliness and isolation: The play explores the devastating effects of loneliness and isolation on the human psyche. Jerry's story is a haunting reminder of the need for human connection and the importance of reaching out to those who are struggling.
• The search for meaning: Both Jerry and Peter are searching for meaning in their lives. Jerry finds solace in the animals at the zoo, while Peter is drawn to Jerry's raw honesty and passion.
• The nature of violence: The play culminates in a shocking act of violence, which highlights the fragility of human life and the potential for darkness within us all.

Historical Context

"The Zoo Story" was written in 1958, at the height of the Cold War. The play reflects the growing sense of anxiety and alienation that was prevalent in society at the time.

Quote

"I was looking for a way out. I thought maybe you could be my way out."

-- Jerry, "The Zoo Story"

Case Study: "The American Dream"

Synopsis

"The American Dream" is a two-act play that tells the story of the Mommy and Daddy, a childless couple whose lives are turned upside down by the arrival of a mysterious young man named Toby. Toby challenges the couple's conventional values and exposes the emptiness and despair that lies beneath the surface of their suburban existence.

Characters

• Mommy: A materialistic and self-absorbed woman who is obsessed with appearances.
• Daddy: A weak and ineffectual man who is dominated by his wife.
• Toby: A mysterious young man who represents the chaos and disorder that exists outside of the couple's carefully constructed world.

Themes

• The American Dream: The play satirizes the American Dream of prosperity, happiness, and success. It shows how the pursuit of material wealth and social status can lead to emptiness and despair.