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Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Act II
44

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Feb 26, 2016

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Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Act II. Relieving the tension . How does Albee relieve the tension built up in the previous Act?. George & Nick. Both characters are (as always) critical of each other. George’s ‘[contemptuous dismissal] YOU’ (p48) suggests that Nick means little to him. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf?Act IIRelieving the tension How does Albee relieve the tension built up in the previous Act?

George & NickBoth characters are (as always) critical of each other.

Georges [contemptuous dismissal] YOU (p48) suggests that Nick means little to him.

George also refers to him as smug & self-righteous. (p48)George & NickNick for the first time is particularly aggressive towards George.

Nicks aggression: [genuine threat]: CANITMISTER!

Flagellation (p49)Two meanings to this:

Its whipping

1. used in certain religious sects for self-discipline.

And

2. Sadomasochistic sex.

FlagellationWhat do you think might be the meaning behind it within the context of the story?

How does it describe George & Martha?

Can it be extended to describe Nick & Honeys relationship?Honeys PregnancyHow does Honeys pregnancy reflect some of the themes in the play?

What are the themes.

After the revelation both characters laugh. Explain why this might be. Georges StoryOne of the most controversial parts of the entire play.

Why might this be?

Note: There is a FIVE SECOND silence at the end of it. This is very long in theatre. Georges StoryIt has been read in a number of ways:

1: George is speaking about himself. This could be suggested through the line He was not killed, of course. (p51)

2: It is just an invention by George to entertain the guests.

3: It is an allegory for George's past hatred for his parents & the statement that he hasnt said a word (p51) is representative of Georges feeling that he has done nothing worthwhile in his later life.

The invented childMartha doesnt have pregnancies at all. (p52)

Nick assumes this to mean that she doesnt any more.

However, what can we assume it to mean?

Also what does the reference to the bean-bag suggest? (p53)Martha & MythologyWhy do you think George calls the son the apple of our three eyes? (p53)Whats the purpose of the Cyclops reference?

It is another example of Albee twisting cliques in an absurdist way. George & MarthaThey switch languages effortlessly and the argument continues in French.

Ive been trying for years to clean up the mess I made (George) (p54)

What is George referring to in this line?

Nick & Honey What does Nicks suggestion about him and Honeys relationship tell us about:

Him as a character?

And

Their relationship. (p54-56)GeorgeWhy do you think George is so eager to hear Nicks story? Think about what we learn later in the story.

Do you think that the kindness is an act? Why/Why not?

Truth and IllusionGeorges story about Marthas father re-marrying is again a possible invention of Georges.

It could once again be Georges way of manipulating Nick.

(p57)Honeys FatherIts very obvious that Albee is indicating the failure of religion in our lives, that he considers it a collection of corrupt and useless institutions.

Honey, (being) seemingly inane and idioitic, constantly sick and giggling, doesnt suggest that religion has produced healthy offspring.

(p60-63)Nick VS GeorgeWhich character is more admirable?

George, with his self-pity & passivity?

Nick his coldhearted ambition?

(p60-62)Georges speech A suggestion that man has created a civilised society only to have it jeered by the future generation.

Nicks UP YOURS (p62)Act II, Scene IIGeorge & Marthas son:

Martha suggests that Georges presence made their son sick.

George suggests that Martha sexually abused the boy.

(p64)Marthas Newest AssaultYou used to drink bergin, too (p65)

how he would have amounted to something if it hadnt been for Daddy (p66)

Georges reaction:

Please, Martha.

Nick joining in.Nick [egging her on]: A book? What book?

Allusions to all-out war George: Guerilla tactics, maybeinternal subversion (p66)

The DanceGeorge tries his best to disrupt the dance. He first puts on Beethovens 7th a piece of classical music.

Dance SceneWhat does the dance scene tell us about the characters? Paganism & FertilityGeorges comment to Martha Sacre du Printemps a ballad evoking an old pegan ritual in which a young woman dances herself to death for the fertility of the soil. (p68)

Themes of paganism & fertility are explored once again. Georges humiliation Martha begins by being overly flirtatious with Nick.

However, when this doesnt have the effect of completely emasculating & humiliating George she moves on to tell his deepest secrets.

The storySome readers suggest that Martha is telling the truth with the story.

Others point out that she blends truth & fantasy.

What do you think?

(p70-71)

Georges Violent sideGeorge violently attacks Martha when his temper gets the better of him.

The theme of Murder is made very explicit in this scene.

Albee seems to be suggesting that people resort to violence when all else fails, but that its no substitute for true communication. Games & GamesmanshipGeorge very clearly articulates this theme in which he speaks directly about it.

Hump the hostess: At this point George has lost all sense of tact & subtlety.

(p73)Get the GuestsWhy do you think that George turns on the guests?

Is he jealous of their apparent success?

Is he resentful of Nicks overt sexual approach to Martha?

Or does he try to get them because he cant get at Martha?Truth & illusion againI mean true or false that there was ever such a thing (74) George about the book.

Get the GuestsSome readers have suggested that this is George & Martha being cruel to their guests for no reason.

What evidence is there to back such a suggestion up. Georges StoryHe purposely uses an informal style in order to ensure Honey understands.

She is devastated that Nick has told their secret.

Nick threatens to make George regret his decision. GeorgeYou gotta have a swine to show you where the truffles are. (p79)

You need to sometimes get an animal to show you where the truth is. George and MarthaThis is arguably the first truly honest scene between George and Martha in the play. What does it tell us about them?George & MarthaBoth characters are left raw & bleeding at the end of the encounter. Honey getting illThis has been described as a justification for why Honey & Nick didnt leave despite the violence and hostility.

Notice also that on his return Nick is much more broken & placid than he was when he left.

Why might this be?

Nick & MarthaThis is also described as a reason that Nick doesnt want to leave. He wants to seduce her.

George watches them momentarily. Why do you think that he doesnt intervene?

The worm turnsThis is an allusion to Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part II

The smallest worm will turn, being trodden on

Even the lowliest creature will survive persecution.

However, Martha suggests that George wont hell die. The grave also suggests the theme of death once more. George and MarthaTheir destructive relationship continues.

George almost dares her to take Nicks bed.

Which of the two are worse in this exchange? Why?

They behave like overgrown children. AllusionsThe chimes Martha brushes against have been compared to those rung at important moments of a Catholic mass.

The book George is reading echos George & Marthas relationship. Honey & George George immediately realises that contraception is being used.

A dry run for the wave of the future.

What is this suggesting?

George Bang could have two meanings. What might they be?Walpurgisnacht Sexual orgies & evil characterise this festival from German legend about Witches who meet on the 1st of April.

What might be the reference here?

WalpurgisnachtOld Nick Martha the witch?

Its too simple to assume George as the good hero character.

Therefore, it seems that Albee is suggesting the problems of the modern world but not offering any solutions.