The Complex Of Martha's Fear Of Aging In Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?

Using Betty Friedan?s theory of social psychology and Erik Erikson?s theory of psychoanalysis,this thesis examines the heroine Martha?s fear of aging in Edward Albee?s play Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?(1962)In this play,Martha not only feels painful because of gendered age,but also laments the plight of spiritual barrenness regardless of material affluence.The thesis examines the complex of Martha?s fear of aging from three aspects.Firstly,this thesis analyzes Martha?s discontent with gendered aging in marital relationship.Through the presentation of difference of aging physically between Martha and George,and her resistance as well as fear of aging,this paper demonstrates Martha?s anxiety and anger towards the gendered and marginalized aging.Then,the paper scrutinizes about Martha?s roleless role in the patriarchal society represented by her dominating father from social relationship.Martha reluctantly accepts her father?s arrangement of marriage,but she is neither a virtuous wife,nor a real mother.Under the besieged influence of patriarchy,she is afraid of aging,in essence,is the fear of ending her life.Finally,this thesis explores Martha?s resistance to aging in lover relationship.Martha openly flirts with young people at home and does many outrageous acts to prove that she is still young and charming.Moreover,Martha smokes,drinks and resists youth-worship.Besides,she disdains the images of young attractive blondes and docile housewives advocated by media.Through the exploration of these three aspects,this thesis argues that Albee refutes the American society?s stereotype of housewives and elder women with deep concerns for Americans? real living predicament.Through marginalized Martha?s out of the ordinary,anger under patriarchy,Albee criticizes social conventions of marriage,family,genders,social roles,etc.Also,he laments the losing vitality of the young as well as the declining society.At the same time,Martha?s subconscious resistance and fear of aging and selflessness prompts people to think what is real human.