What is the meaning of Who is afraid of Virginia Woolf in the play by Edward Albee?

Answer 1

When I started to write the play it cropped up in my mind again. And of course, who's afraid of Virginia Woolf means who's afraid of the big bad wolf . . . who's afraid of living life without false illusions. And it did strike me as being a rather typical, university intellectual joke.- Edward Albee

Answer 2

Virginia Woolf was a beautifully talented writer in Victorian England. Her works mostly consisted of essays, poems, and short stories however she did write a few novels. She was incredibly gifted and married a man named Leonard who opened up a printing press for her to have the ability to publish her work at her fingertips.

She was known to have struggled with mental health; often falling ill to severe headaches, depression, fits, and hearing voices. Her writing was both a result of this, and a temporary cure.

A few examples of her works include "The Kew Gardens", a short story; "The Death of the Moth," an Essay; and "Mrs. Dalloway" originally entitled "The Hours" which is one of her most recognized novels as it was adapted into the film and novel "The Hours" by Michael Cunningham.

Answer 3

1. Elizabeth Taylor won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Elizabeth Taylor was not present at the awards ceremony. Anne Bancroft accepted the award on her behalf.
2. Sandy Dennis won Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Sandy Dennis was unable to attend the Academy Awards presentations, because she was working on a new film, Sweet November (1968), being shot in New York.
3. Richard Sylbert and George James Hopkins won the Oscar for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White
4. Haskell Wexler won the Oscar for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White
5. Irene Sharaff won the Oscar for Best Costume Design, Black-and-White

Answer 4

the 1966 film was directed by Mike Nichols, screenplay, Ernest Lehman, starred Liz Taylor, Richard Burton, Sandy Dennis, George Segal. Its referral to the 20th century novelist, playwright Virginia Woolf can be taken on several levels. One its a take off of the children's nonsense song "Whose Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf.

It is a fantasy song that reminds Martha and George they are childless. It is a reference too the intellectualism and cultured sophistication of the couple. Virginia Woolf reference to the fact that George is a professor and therefore a cultured man. Both couples are behaving more like quarreling kids than mature grownups. Lastly VW was known for her sharp dissection of human behavior.

I'm hoping I answered your question to your satisfaction.

Source Leonard Maltin annual movie guide. TV Guide guide to movies. 1000 best movies for all Time.

Answer 5

This play (made into a movie) with George the professor played by Richard Burton and Martha whose father is the University's President, along with Nick a young and new professor played by George Segal and his young wife Honey played by Sandy Dennis is a character study of a middle-aged couple with a long past of disappointments (stemming back to their childhood ... George accidentally killed his parents and Martha is over-shadowed by her father and has never learned to stand on her own two feet) and realizing each other's weakness'. They had one child that died and Martha was thrown further over the edge and blames her husband George. Along comes Nick a young and feisty naive new professor and his giggling, pathetic and innocent young wife Honey and are invited for dinner, but got more than they bargained for. George and Martha start playing games with each other and slowly draw in the young couple who don't know how to react to the situation until they all get drunk. Martha ends up flirting with Nick as George and Honey stand in the back-ground wondering how to deal with the situation. The sick games turn even sicker because of the rage from within Martha and George finally finds the guts to blow! The fight is on and Nick and Honey are left in awe wondering whether to stay or run. I believe that the term "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe" came from "Who is Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf." Martha intimidates people around her and tries to generate fear and demean everyone around her (self destruction.) She's in psychological pain and has become mean, spiteful and hates the fact she is getting older so takes it out on Nick and Honey. George has already been over the edge because of the accidental death he caused regarding his parents and living with Martha hasn't helped. This is an intense play and a long one, but it's wise to study each character as it's played out and the title fits the play very well. George and Martha are destroying each other basically, yet still in love. Some critics feel this play was thrown together and it was too long and too confusing for viewers, but I didn't find it that way and loved the character study of it. What was happening to George and Martha could happen to anyone but the environment is just different. Other critics thought the play was ingenious and I have to agree.

Answer 6

Everyone who is afraid of facing a life without false illusions, according to Edward Albee.

Answer 7

The playwright of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" is Edward Albee.