On The Metadramatic Devices In Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is the first full-length play written by the American playwright Edward Albee. In his criticism against the social hypocrisy, the playwright has tried various means and theatrical techniques. By means of Richard Hornby’s metadramatic theory, this thesis attempts an analysis of the play through studying the three metadramatic devices, namely, the ceremony within the play,role-playing within the role and literary and real-life reference, aiming to discover the playwright’s intentions of adopting the devices, so as to enrich the thematic understanding of the play.Besides introduction and conclusion, this thesis consists of three chapters:Chapter One focuses on the study of the metatheatrical device of the “ceremony within the play”, pointing out that the playwright builds an atmosphere of exorcism through the ritualistic style of plot and the games with the quality of exorcism. Using this device, Albee alludes to the theme: no matter how real life is, people should drive out their inner demons and fears like the exorcist George, and face up to the reality.Chapter Two analyzes the metatheatrical device of role-playing within the role,illustrating George and Martha having double identities and Nick as the incarnation of the American Dream. It reveals Albee’s creative way of shaping his characters in the play and helps the audience better probe into the inner world of the characters.Meanwhile, by means of the device, Albee exposes the delusion of the American Dream and appeals people to face their true selves by abandoning their false identities.Chapter Three discusses the device known as “real-life and literary life reference”,unfolding the relationships of the play with the real-life and literary references. The adaptation of the familiar children’s song, the citation of the famous writer’s name and literary works, all of which bear the features of the device of real-life and literary life reference. Through this device, Albee seems to make people recognize the danger of the illusory life.The thesis finally comes to the conclusion: through consciously applying metadramatic devices, Albee questions the American Dream and exposes the dangersof illusion as the way to escape real life. Therefore, Albee calls for an end to people’s illusions so that they can confront their true selves and seek the meaning of life. The play fully expresses Albee’s positive attitudes towards people and life.