Author: Edward Albee was adopted by a wealthy family in the late 1920s. He was never comfortable with his adoptive family and eventually went off to live in Greenwich Village in New York.
Setting, Plot, and Characters: The play is about five characters: Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Mrs. Barker, and the Young Man. It is set in mid-twentieth century America in a small apartment in the city. The story follows Mommy and Daddy's quest for "satisfaction". In the beginning, Mommy and Daddy are discussing a mystery guest that is coming soon. Finally, the guest (Mrs. Barker) arrives. None of the characters seem to know why Mrs. Barker is there, including Mrs. Barker herself. Once Mommy and Daddy are out of the room, Grandma hints to Mrs. Barker why she is there. Grandma reveals that Mrs. Barker has been there before in order to give Mommy and Daddy a "bumble of joy", but that Mommy and Daddy mutilated it because it did not behave. Finally, a Young Man arrives that Grandma dubs "the American Dream". Mommy and Daddy decide that he is suitable for adoption and Grandma ends the play.
Analysis: This piece's point of view comes from Albee as he reflects his cynicism of the American Dream. Grandma could be considered as acting as the narrator of the play once she is removed from the action. Writing in a loosely absurdist feel, Edward Albee creates all of his characters as silly and without any real emotions. The tone throughout the play is mostly cynical and it is a satire on American culture and Albee employs many devices to accomplish this. For example, the play often references bodily mutilation. When Daddy says “I’m all ears”, Mommy squeals with joy. Mommy exclaims “I could cut my tongue out!”. Mommy and Daddy even cut off the eyes, hands, and genitalia off of their child. One of the clearest symbols in The American Dream is boxes. When Grandma first enters the stage, she is carrying neatly wrapped boxes. It is not clear until the end of the story that the boxes contain the contents of the apartment. Mommy also talks about when she was younger and Grandma would pack her lunch in a such a nice box, she would not want to open it. Both of these elements symbolize the artificiality of modern America. Albee is commenting on the fact that people don’t care about the inside, they only care about the outside.
Cool quotes:
“I’ve got to go into my act now.”
Grandma is often described by critics as the most "human" character in the play. In this instance, it seems like she is even aware that she is merely playing a part. As the only self aware actor, Grandma is able to change the direction of plot as well as end the play altogether.
“So, let’s leave things as they are right now...while everybody’s happy...while everybody’s got what he wants...or everybody’s got what he thinks he wants.”
This quote reflects on one of the main motifs of the play - superficiality. Mommy, Daddy, and Mrs. Barker all have something they want: a son, money, and praise. However, as Edward Albee explained in an interview, the Young Man is really there to kill the family, so this quote also adds to the dramatic irony. So when Albee speaks through Grandma, he is commenting on the American incapability of looking past the surface.
THEME: Consumerism is corrupting American societal structure and values.
Motifs: gender roles, the American Dream, confusion, manners, emasculation, social status, control, sexuality, artificiality, immaturity, deceit, new vs. old
Motifs: gender roles, the American Dream, confusion, manners, emasculation, social status, control, sexuality, artificiality, immaturity, deceit, new vs. old
The title has a clear connection to the theme of the play. The "American Dream" has been corrupted by the commodification of people. Albee also comments reveals the pointlessness of polite society through his dialogue. All
of the conversations between the characters are cyclical and the reader
or viewer gets the idea that they have no meaning. He also makes fun of trivial things, like when Mommy and Mrs. Barker argue over the color of a hat. The playwright's use of satire also condemns consumerism.
Alex, I agree with much of what you have to say, and I like that you referenced mutilation as a major component of the play. I think that idea was often overlooked in the discussions in my class, and I’m glad it was brought up. However, you say that the piece doesn’t have a point of view, and then go on to say that it has a strong, very one-sided message on a critical topic of our society. I would clearer what you mean to say in that it doesn’t have a point of view, unless you made an understandable mistake. Also, I’m confused about the example you used about Mommy and Daddy and how they only wanted to change appearances, but it seems to me that a Mommy wanted the operation not for external purposes, but for internal/emotional ones, especially because a sex change for a politician in the 60s could mean the end of a career. I think that the example of Daddy saying “I’m all ears…” and Mommy’s squeals of pleasure are more about her wanting a more emotionally feminine mate. Good summary, well-structured analysis.
ReplyDeleteAlex,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cal in that "I'm all ears" isn't the best example of bodily mutilation, when there are so many other, better examples of it in the play. I would use Grandma's example of Mommy's misshapen head as an example of mutilation, as that was one of the main ones we discussed in class. I like your concision in making this post, and I feel that it will serve you well as a study guide for when you come back over it in time for the AP exam. One suggestion that I would make would be for you to mention some more of the other motifs we went over in class, like gender roles, the American Dream motif, etc. Even a cursory mention of them would be good, but it may be good to refresh your memory of these in May, in case one of the prompts fits these.
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ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAlex,
You did a nice job of summarizing the play without completely retelling the play word for word. I think your post should be very beneficial for studying from come May. One thing I would suggest clarifying like Cal said is the lack of point of view in the play. I found myself confused while reading this portion of your post. Wouldn’t Albee’s cynical style of writing attribute to his point of view towards the American Dream? Also is it possible that Grandma was a narrative voice towards the end of the play once she broke the fourth wall? Those would be the only things I would clarify in your post. You did a nice job explaining the importance of the specific quotes you chose, as well as giving detail to the theme. Overall good post.