An Analysis Of The Ethical Identity Dislocation In The Zoo Story

Edward Albee(1928-2016) is a famous and influential American contemporary playwright after Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller. His first play, The Zoo Story, was performed in 1959, which enjoys great popularity. In this play, Albee employed “absurd” techniques into his composition. Although the play was written in a succinct style, it had deep implied meaning and won several awards. The play also incurred many favorable comments from the critics. Scholars have analyzed and interpreted the play from such different angles as the themes, characters and writing techniques, but few researches have been reported to investigate the tragic cause from the perspective of the ethical identity dislocation in this play.With the relevant theories of ethical literary criticism, this thesis analyzes the relationship between man and environment, man and animal, man and himself, and man and the society respectively, and studies the major reasons for Jerry's tragic life in terms of ethical identity dislocation in the play. The study finds that the wealth gap between the rich and the poor, deteriorating environment, people's loneliness and isolation are the root causes for Jerry's ethical identity dislocation and his tragic ending.This thesis consists of three parts: the introduction, the body and the conclusion.The Introduction focuses on Edward Albee's life experience, the plot of the play and literature review at home and abroad.Chapter One is mainly about the theoretical framework which sifts the concept, development and main views of ethical literary criticism, and then introduces a series of theoretical terms about ethical literary criticism, like ethical identity. Then, the thesis analyzes its meaning and points out that ethical identity dislocation in real life would lead to a series of interpersonal conflicts, which makes the literary works more dramatic. Hence, based on the ethical identity it is more realistically significant to probe into the ethical identity dislocation in the play.Chapter Two explores Jerry's ethical identity dislocation of being a vagrant. Family tragedy is the origin of Jerry's identity dislocation. Identity anxiety makes him feel empty and helpless. He has no way to pour out his depression. He is eager to search for a sense of identity from others, which turns out to be numerous failures.Chapter Three analyzes Jerry's ethical identity dislocation of being a “dog”(animal). In order to be treated equally by Peter, Jerry would like to change his role with a dog, which suggested that the rational human beings in the society are living like dogs. They live a life filled with frustration, inferiority and helplessness. A society lacking of communication is like a zoo which makes Jerry feel repressed and hopeless.Chapter Four studies Jerry's ethical identity dislocation of being a homosexual. His mother abandoned her family, and his father's love to his mother influenced Jerry's attitude toward the male-female relationship. As a homosexual, he escapes from the challenges and responsibilities of life, and is void of marriage life, neighbors and relatives, only living in his world.Chapter Five discloses that Jerry and Peter's tragic life is in nature caused by ethical identity dislocations mentioned above. Although the industrialized society progresses quickly, the social poverty is still a common problem. Human relationships are becoming cold and unfriendly. The source of all contradictions is Peter's indifferent attitude to Jerry. They have their character flaws, but they have the features of seeking individuality. However, they cannot escape the tragic fate.The final part is the conclusion. After the Second World War, large amount of money boosted the American economy, and urbanization was accelerating, which did not help social and cultural development. On the one hand, people had to confront with the society with spiritual barrenness. On the other hand, they continuously kept searching for their dignity and true identity to realize their own dream. Jerry tried his best to improve the interpersonal relationship with others, and pull down the communicating barrier around human beings, even at the cost of his own life. Finally, Jerry broke the barriers of identity among people by committing suicide. Jerry's death is caused by his ethical identity dislocation; and Jerry and Peter's conflicts are epitome of the class conflicts in the society. Their final fate sounds an alarm for us human race and causes us to ponder: we should strengthen our personal cultivation and qualities, develop self-discipline and do things in accordance with our inner heart and social identity.