Disrupted Family Relations

By adopting a comparative approach, the chapter focuses on the disrupted family relations in Edward Albee’s three plays The Zoo Story (1958), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf ? ( 1961 – 1962 ) and The American Dream ( 1960 ), and Ionesco’s two plays The Chairs ( 1952 ) and Rhinoceros ( 1961 ).
The chapter tackles family relations in the light of the social milieu that leads to distorted relationships. In Albee’s plays although they have a family, they live in separate shells, while in Ionesco’s plays the family tries to pass the time with absurd games and alcohol. Thus, the psychological reasons that lead to disrupted moral and family values are exposed, yet provide the impetus for a more honest and courageous encounter with the conditions of existence.