Customer Reviews

The American Dream and Zoo Story

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Zoo Story

There is something unique about the works of Edward Albee, a kind of mood, or wry-but-not-entirely-dry attitude, one recognizes but can't quite put his finger on. This "story" of a suburbanite with two daughters minding his own business on a park bench who is accosted by a poorer but somehow wiser man who has been at the zoo was Edward Albee's first play to be seen by the public. Dating from 1958, the one-act play, which like much of Albee's work seems to deftly mix absurdist elements with an intimate rendering of the American bourgoisie--and a sort of silent, if perhaps ironical, nod to mystical Christianity--he reminds me of a dramaturgic Saint Francis of Assisi--was first seen in Berlin. As in Who's Afraid of Virgina Wolf? and The Goat, the object of desire is off stage, at least until the end, at which point "its" "retrieval" reveals a generalized dissatisfaction which the playwright allows to be dispersed as satisfaction after all, in conformity with the peculiarities of human desire and the conventions of literary endings. This two-man play seems to work largely because the older, more well-to-do man, Peter-a kind of icon of smug suburbanite self-satisfaction, who wants to be entertained, as it were, from the outside--is drawn in--across the white picket fence, or here, the green slatted Central Park bench--to the life of the slightly younger Jerry--a sort of stand--in it would seem for the playwrite, and his dramatic task to involve us all in a participatory experience this side--or perhaps a little more--of religion.

The American Dream

Although I have read/seen only four of Albee's works (Who's Afraid of Virgina Wolf, Zoo Story, and The Goat), this seems to me the work of his that owes most to-or is closest to- the theater of the absurd-particularly to Samuel Beckett. And yet, as the title suggests, the work is far more American-down home, you might say-and so is the humor. The main characters are "Mommy," "Daddy" and "Grandma"-and Grandma is a scream. Her brilliant, if irascible, wit contains some brilliant, if not exactly unbiased, observations on the treatment of, expectations from, and inner reality of, the elderly. She comes off as the most intelligent person in the play, and the one we identify with the most-even if her metaphysical capacities for hiding objects, forgetting who her strumpet daughter is, and desiring with spiritual ardor the flesh of the young who may or may not be her own are not necessarily everyone's instantiation of satisfaction's successful pursuit.

An unqualified genius with language, Edward Albee has a fair claim to being the USA's most important living playwright, though most would give the nod to Arthur Miller. *The Zoo Story* and *The American Dream* are among Albee's first plays, and both dabble in the absurdism that defines his work. The plays are very different from each other: *The Zoo Story* is a more serious play that builds slowly toward the inevitable, while *The American Dream* is more of a nonsense-farce, with echoes of Ionesco and Becket. But the logic of *The Zoo Story* and the comic brevity of *The American Dream* make these plays much easier to get a handle on than his later *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf* and *A Delicate Balance*. In fact, both plays have a spiffy economy that Albee's work seemed to lose until his recent masterpiece, *Three Tall Women*.

Anyone interested in American theater should study Albee, and these plays are a good introduction. Also (unlike most of Albee's plays) these plays could be performed by student or beginning actors.

These are the two of the three plays ("Virginia Woolf") that will go down in theater history as Albee's contribution to the stage. The others may not make it. Both of these plays capture Albee at his rebellious best, just in from Westchester County where he had been living the country club life with his adopted parents, and now living in Greenwich Village. "The American Dream" captures the world of his parents, while "Zoo Story" takes up Albee's new life on the streets of New York (paid for out of his grandmother's trust fund). These plays have a vernacular zip and zing his later plays lack. They make for wonderful theater. Much of this early promise was realized in "Virginia Woolf" but then Albee, like the man with three arms, seems to have lost his voice.

The American Dream is another of Albee's many commentaries on our society. Albee saw that in every one of us there exists an ideal, the American dream. While this dream is different for us all, Albee felt that all of us simply expect our American dream to come true. This play examines the anarchy that can result from the realization that life just doesn't work the way we all imagine it can. Albee's goal is to make us all more aware of the way we think, so that we may alter it to be more correct and fulfilled. This play is not for a reader looking for entertainment. The lack of humanity in the play makes it a very abstract piece, obviously aimed at conveying a point rather than a story.

The American Dream is a hilarious satire of an old woman and her long suffering husband. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories of "the theater of the absurd"

Out of my whole order, this was the first book I received. It took just a couple of days!! I was astonished how fast it came!!

If youre a fan of Absurd Theatre you'll get a kick out of these stories. They're shocking tales but also a great read. I loved reading them!

The Zoo Story and The American Dream are among Edward Albee's earliest, the former being his first performed, and better-known plays. Though not on par with his masterpiece Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, they are quite worthy. They are also very different from it and each other, showcasing Albee's remarkable diversity and ensuring appeal both to fans of his other work and anyone who likes well-done plays.

Zoo defines simplicity - one act, one setting, two characters, very little action - but in the best sense. Albee has the great dramatist's talent of making us feel strong suspense, even urgency, even when almost nothing actually happens. Zoo draws us in very quickly and does not let go until the last line; it is immensely engrossing. That Albee manages to hold attention so well with so few trappings testifies to his artistry. The play's content can be very quickly summarized, but its significant implications are many and varied. Part realism, part black comedy, part absurdist theater, Zoo is all interesting. Without giving away the plot, since suspense and the central mystery are so integral, Zoo deals with several important themes central to the twentieth century human condition: alienation, interpersonal communication difficulties, class, and humanity's inhumanity. Few playwrights have had such a notable debut.

The American Dream is more ambitious and probably at least as good. A whirlwind satire of the ubiquitous title subject, it satirically attacks many sacred cows. It is indirect but no less biting for that, showing Albee's early deft hand with absurdism. The play is bleak but not without humor, though the humor is quite dark, combining Greek tragedy elements with the most modern techniques. The content was near-shocking and caused quite a stir; it is important to remember that Albee's Preface says the play is meant to offend. It now seems superficially tame, but anyone alive to the real issues sees that it is as provoking and penetrating as ever. The play gives much to think about - especially if we realize our laughter is in self-defense.

All told, though Who's Afraid is the Albee play of choice, anyone interested in him should look into these.

Edward Albee's Play, "The American Dream" uses absurdist elements to mock the American society, exposing its most controversial topics into normal conversation. By doing so, Albee gives us an inside look at the ugly truth; which may allow one to question their morals and motives while reading. Albee is successful in twisting ones sense of consciousness. By breaking things down into simple and casual dialogue, Albee is able to get away with the most remarkably crude humor; something that may be at first startling to the reader allows for a chaotic plot line and suspenseful story.

well at least i thought i wasnt. but these two plays are very easy to read and i think theyd also be brilliant to see if only i got the chance. edward albee, pretty much the only playwright i like so far. but he makes me give the area a chance. these two are a great way to get into him and into plays in general.