"zoo Story": Alienation Of The Symbolic Color Of Life

Edward Albee is the world-renowned American contemporary playwright. All his life has been dedicated to the production of plays, and new works keeps coming out. His satirical works concern profound themes where Albee skillfully discusses the social problems by using techniques of the theatre of the absurd. All his works portray the depression of human life, whereas his philosophical thinking and positive life attitude have an optimistic tone, even in despair.This thesis analyses Albee's first play The Zoo Story in which symbolic images can be found everywhere. The playwright compares human life to a zoo and discloses the spiritual desolation of modern man. The play unveils the hidden meanings of the symbols; moreover, it focuses on exploring the existential meaning of the individual and pursuing philosophical significance and profound thinking of the absurd life.The thesis consists of five parts. The First Chapter is"Introduction", which introduces the writing career and literary achievements of Edward Albee, as well as the significance of symbols in literature. The Second Chapter gives an introduction to archetypes, providing prototypes for the characters. The Third Chapter analyzes the symbolic structure of the play– frame structure, depicting the prison-alike situation people are in. The Fourth Chapter discloses the usages of metaphors, while expressing the despair of modern life. The Fifth Chapter draws a conclusion of what has been discussed in the preceding chapters. The symbols in The Zoo Story express the existential meaning of life and the isolation of modern men. Its social significance is far-reaching.