Absurdity of Human Existence in Albee’s Drama <em>Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?</em>

Abstract

This research paper aims to analyze how Edward Albee's characters in his drama, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? live their absurd or meaningless lives. Through this paper, I have attempted to reveal the existential absurdity of human life in modern society using the literary theory of Existentialism. This research paper is a qualitative study of Albee's drama based on existential philosophers' literary theories: Sartre, Camus, and Beauvoir. The drama is employed as a primary source, and existential theory has been used to explain the characters' roles. This research paper finds that the two major characters in this drama, Martha and George, are trying to figure out who they are. They wish to have their own child in the future, but they cannot do it. As a result, they create an imaginary son to satisfy their desire for a baby. The conclusion of this paper is that Albee's characters, just as everyone in the real world, want their own issue that makes their life meaningful. The major characters in this drama want their own issue to run their dynasty forever. Therefore, they are looking for their identity in this modern world, but they are living their absurd lives.