LANGUAGE IN INDIA

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Volume 26:5 May 2026
ISSN 1930-2940

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Performing Illusion: Theatricality and Psychological Conflict in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Dr. T. Akila
Dr. A. Shajitha Banu
Dr. R. Malathy
Dr. B. Sumathi
Dr. P. Shanmugam

Abstract

The notion of illusion and role-playing plays the central role in Edward Albee's drama "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?". There is much in the drama devoted to the idea of role-playing that touches upon such topics as family conflict, psychological tensions, and blurring of the lines between reality and fiction. This paper seeks to explore the notion of theatricality as an aspect of a psychological coping strategy that enables characters in their struggle against emotions and failures. It becomes clear from observing interactions between George and Martha that all their relations are characterized by a constant need to stage "performances" – where roles are played out, stories are invented, and reality is manipulated. With the help of verbal games, role-playing, and invention of tales, the characters turn their family life into a performance on the domestic stage. What needs to be argued in this paper is that role-playing does not function merely as a stylistic device; rather, it is employed as a way of psychological survival of the individuals. Perhaps the most powerful illustration in the play to this end would be the fictitious child. In effect, the play portrays how human interactions depend heavily on acting and illusion in navigating conflicts in psychology.

Keywords:Theatricality, Illusion, Psychological Conflict, Performance, Modern Drama

Introduction

Indeed, the modern era of drama tends to explore the subtle divide that exists between reality and falsehood in the context of human interactions. Some of the most popular plays written over the past century that deal with the issue include “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”. This particular play was authored by Edward Albee in 1962. In this play, the stormy relationship between George and Martha, an old married couple, is described using bickering, sarcasm, and illusion.

In the plot, a night at which George and Martha host two young people, Nick and Honey, after returning from a college party is described. Gradually, the conversation begins to turn from a simple dialogue into one that becomes psychologically complex. Personal attacks and verbal games reveal many emotional problems in the lives of these characters.

Another peculiar feature about this play is that of its theatrical nature. In fact, throughout the play, George and Martha keep performing roles for each other and their visitors. Moreover, their marriage becomes an area of theatrical performances where emotions and power relations become the subjects of their narrative. Hence, it can be assumed that illusion is an integral part of their life.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

DR. T. AKILA
Department of Science and Humanities,
Sri Eshwar College of Engineering
Coimbatore
akila.t@sece.ac.in

DR. A. SHAJITHA BANU
Department of Science and Humanities,
Sri Eshwar College of Engineering
Coimbatore
shajithabanu.a@sece.ac.in

DR. R. MALATHY
Department of Science and Humanities,
Sri Eshwar College of Engineering
Coimbatore
malathy.r@sece.ac.in

DR. B. SUMATHI
Department of Science and Humanities,
Kalaignarkarunanidhi Institute of Technology
Coimbatore
sumathibaluz@gmail.com
&
Dr. P. Shanmugam
Assistant Professor
Department of Science and Humanities
Dhanalakshimi Srinivasan College of Engineering
Coimbatore.Tamil Nadu, India

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