author:
Edward Albee
Setting:the apartment of Mommy and Daddy
Summary:
This play looks into the differences of the two american dreams; one regarding the old and authentic american dream and the other regarding the current materialistic american dream. The play starts with Mommy, Daddy and Grandma talking and arguing about the evenings upcoming events and grandma's boxes. When there guest arrives we see more strange behavior and look into the lives of both the contrasting generations and the contrasting dreams. As the play continues we see that Mommy is the one in charge, Daddy has next to no power, and Grandma is the one with the most sense playing as a satirical guide throughout this play. We learn about Mommy and Daddy's child and its upbringing and more about Grandma's opinions of everything. At the end of the play a young man enters the picture and is thought to be Mommy and Daddy's long lost adopted son. He is the ideal man of the time both successful and picture perfect. The young man enters as Grandma leaves the picture for good and
significant characters:
Mommy: She is the daughter to Grandma. She is petty, immature, and is the most masculine being in the family.
Daddy: He is the husband of Mommy and lacks all essences of masculinity. He is often made un of and compared to a child.
Grandma: SHe is the smartest in the novel and has a solid understanding of what is important in both life and dreams. She can be seen as both masculine and feminine. She represetns the classic and true american dream.
Grandma: SHe is the smartest in the novel and has a solid understanding of what is important in both life and dreams. She can be seen as both masculine and feminine. She represetns the classic and true american dream.
Mrs. Barker: She works with mommy and is apparently very important in their world. She is very confused in the play and was originally the basket woman who delivered the child of MOmmy and Daddy.
The Young Man: he is the ideal man in their society, someone who appears to be successful (but actually isn't). he is supposed to be the long lost adopted son of Mommy and Daddy. He represents the new materialistic version of the american dream.
motifs: boxes, baskets, satisfaction, old people, consumerism
Imagery: the absurd events that take place to show that this in fact is not an ordinary family.
Quotes:
- "Don't be to sure; it's every man for himself around this place" -Grandma
This quote shows the reality of the new dream and the loss of morals from generation to generation. This highlights Grandma's hatred of the current dream.
-"Then it turned out it only had eyes for it's daddy." -Grandma
This quote shows how Mommy is the more masculine figure in the household demanding the attention be on her. THis quote also shows the unrealistic aspects of this play and Albees focus on their baby.
.Theme & Support:
Views can alter from generation to generation.
Claim 1: Grandma's sense of work versus Mommy's sense of work
Claim 2: The lifestyle of Mommy Daddy and Mrs. Barker in comparison to Grandma.
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