Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; A War Against Feminism or A Sympathetic Play

Deldar Talebkhan Garoussi¹

1) Master Student of English Language and Literature, Azad University Science and Research Branch

IOI Code : AZGA-AZFGEA
Publication : 5th International Conference on Advanced Research in Management And Humanities(huconf.com/5th)
Abstract :
    This paper explores the gender conflict in Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? through the lens of Hélène Cixous’s theory of women’s bodies, focusing on themes of phallic lack and patriarchal resistance. Drawing on second-wave feminist ideas, the study examines Albee’s portrayal of women’s autonomy, particularly in the characters of Martha and Honey, whose struggles with motherhood and societal expectations reflect deeper anxieties around gender roles. The analysis investigates whether Albee s use of traditionally feminine symbols, such as Virginia Woolf, critiques patriarchal dominance or undermines second-wave feminist ideals. By situating the play within feminist and psychoanalytic discourse, the research sheds light on how Albee s characters embody and resist patriarchal constraints, contributing to a broader understanding of gender dynamics in mid-20th-century American society.

Keywords : edward albee second wave feminism hélène cixous gender conflict patriarchal dominance