Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” has become one of the
major works in American dramatic history (Roundane 42) and a huge career boost for Albee himself. This is not surprising as this masterpiece is considered to be revolutionary and ambitious as well as scandalous and highly controversial at the same time.
The play, which has been discussed so passionately, “gives us four
almost unrelievably nasty people who for something like three-and-a-half hours […] take part in a drunken orgy of backbiting, bitchery, humiliation,verbal castration, exposure and physical mauling” (Hilfer 121).
Not only wanting to entertain the audience but also including social
criticism, Albee makes use of essential themes which help to make people understand their situation and to make them realize the necessity to act in order to modify society.
In the course of this paper, I am going to attempt to illustrate the
importance of the American Dream and to establish a connection to the topic of truth and illusion which can be understood as the basis of Albee’s concept.
To start with, I will exemplify different aspects of the American Dream and point out selected features of the characters that can be linked to the American Dream. In order to appreciate most of the professional criticism, it is of the utmost importance to look at the issue of truth and illusion that is predominant in many parts of the play.
Examining the subject matter of illusion, I will concentrate on the imaginary son as well as the relationship between the guests Nick and Honey.
In a last step, I am going to explain the issue of truth in the play by examining the killing of the imaginary son and the confession of Nick and his wife.
Examining selected scenes, I will try to clarify the aspects Albee criticizes and explain the requests the author has.
For many people the ‘American Dream’ is an ethos that grants everybody the opportunity to achieve “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”(Declaration of Independence). The myths of success and virtue seem to be a goal Americans have been striving to achieve for a long time. Dreams can be fulfilled by anybody, no matter the social background, through hard work and determination.
Writing the play during the Cold War in 1962, when the world was
close to a nuclear war, Albee responded to the questioning of the patriotic beliefs which was an ongoing problem in the USA.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The American Dream
3. Illusion
3.1 The Imaginary Son
3.2 Nick and Honey’s Marriage
4. Truth
4.1 Killing the Imaginary Son
4.2 Nick and Honey’s Confession
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This academic paper explores the thematic dichotomy of truth and illusion in Edward Albee’s play "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", specifically examining how these elements function as social and political criticism within the context of the American Dream.
- The role and failure of the American Dream in 1960s American society.
- The function of the imaginary son as an allegorical device.
- The impact of concealed truths on interpersonal relationships and marital dynamics.
- Albee’s use of the "Theatre of Confrontation" to expose societal sterility.
- The necessity of facing reality to achieve genuine human connection.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 The Imaginary Son
In view of the fact that Martha is unable to bear children which is against the common expectation, Martha and George create the illusion of a son. They invent a completely coherent story that Martha tells in a way a proud mother would.
Martha. It was an easy birth. … George. Oh, Martha; no. You labored … how you labored. […] Martha. And I was young, and he was a healthy child, a red, bawling child, with slippery firm limbs…
[…] Martha. …with slippery, firm limbs, and a full head of black, fine, fine hair which, oh later, later, became blond as the sun, our son. George. He was a healthy child Martha. And I had wanted a child…oh, I had wanted a child […] Martha (with great sadness). Our child. And we raised him… (laughs, briefly, bitterly) yes, we did; we raised him… (Albee 172)
In this extract from the play, it becomes visible that their son has a great emotional value, but no material value.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Albee’s play as a landmark of American drama, establishing the central research focus on the intersection of the American Dream and the concepts of truth and illusion.
2. The American Dream: This section analyzes how characters like Nick and George embody or reject different aspects of the American Dream, framing the play as a critique of mid-century American values.
3. Illusion: This chapter examines the psychological reliance on fantasy, specifically focusing on the creation of an imaginary child and the facade of a happy marriage maintained by Nick and Honey.
4. Truth: This section discusses the process of dismantling illusions, highlighting how the "killing" of the imaginary son and the confession of secrets serve as painful but necessary steps toward reality.
5. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the play’s message, arguing that Albee’s "Theatre of Confrontation" serves as a warning against living in self-delusion and highlights the need to confront the truth of existence.
Keywords
Edward Albee, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, American Dream, Truth, Illusion, Theatre of Confrontation, Imaginary Son, Marital Conflict, Social Criticism, Cold War, Reality, Psychological Dependence, Authenticity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this research paper?
The paper examines the central role of truth and illusion in Edward Albee’s "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", analyzing how these themes are used to critique the American Dream and modern society.
What are the main thematic areas explored in the analysis?
The core themes include the failure of the American Dream, the psychological consequences of living in fantasy, the breakdown of marital communication, and the necessity of confronting reality.
What is the primary research goal of this paper?
The goal is to illustrate the importance of the American Dream in the play and establish its connection to the fundamental struggle between truth and illusion in the characters' lives.
Which scientific methodology is applied in this study?
The paper utilizes literary analysis of drama, examining selected scenes and characters to clarify Albee’s social criticism and his intended message for the audience.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main body treats the American Dream, the development of the imaginary son as an allegorical device, the relationships of the couples involved, and the cathartic transition from illusion to truth.
Which keywords characterize this research?
Key terms include Edward Albee, American Dream, truth, illusion, Theatre of Confrontation, and social criticism.
How does the imaginary son symbolize the American Dream?
The imaginary son represents a desperate attempt to create the perfect family unit required by the American Dream, despite the reality of the couple’s inability to procreate.
What is the significance of the play's ending?
The open ending forces the audience to consider whether a life without illusions is sustainable, suggesting that while the process is painful, it is essential for authentic communication.
Why does the author interpret the play as political?
The author argues that Albee’s work functions as political criticism by attacking the "unconscious" of the American society, mirroring the conflicts of the Cold War era through the domestic struggles of the characters.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Jannis Rudzki-Weise (Autor:in), 2009, Truth, Illusion and the American Dream in Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/163016
