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• SwissEduc received from Edward Albee on January 10, 2002 the following answers to questions students had asked.
• Title
  I have difficulties understanding the title "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?". Our teacher told us that it has nothing to do with the author Virginia Woolf. I can understand that George and Martha are afraid of facing reality. But why did you choose in the title Virginia Woolf? Rolf
  Dear Rolf,
  I chose the title Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? because it's a very good title. There is an intentional reference to "Who's afraid of the big bad wolf" (1) which can be said to be the fear of living life without false illusions. While the play has nothing to do with the author Virginia Woolf, if you read her work you will find similar enthusiasms to mine.
  Edward Albee
• Living with False Illusions
  Is surviving with false illusions still an option for all of us after Sept.11, 2001? What do you recommend to parents and teachers, I exaggerate by asking: Can a child grow in peace (shielded) or should it always been troubled by reality? Thank you very much! George
  Dear George,
  I don't understand your question. In Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, the recommendation is not living with false illusions; that they are destructive. I don't think we should ever live with false illusions. I don't think any child should be allowed to grow up without a sense of reality.
  Edward Albee
• Disturbing Relationships
  Your plays focus on disturbing dysfunctional relationships, yet you once described "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? as a love story. What is your definition of love? What are your thoughts on traditional love stories, the "love conquers all" kind, uplifting and hopeful with a happy ending? This is not meant to be critical of your plays, I think your writing is better than ever, just wondered what you thought of them. Michie
  Dear Michie,
  I'm trying to think of any worthwhile plays that are not about disturbing relationships. Nor do I know many love stories that don't have the serious problems. I suppose people like fantasy stories--love conquers all--but since all art is meant to be useful, you take it from there.
  Edward Albee
• "I am the Earth Mother"
  I really enjoyed reading "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," but what does Martha mean by saying "I am the earth mother"? Thank you very much. Nancy
  Dear Nancy,
  When Martha says "I am the earth mother" she is referring to the mythological creature who is a source of all life, sexuality, etc. She is being ironic, of course.
  Edward Albee
• Historical References to the Characters
  The majority of the critics have said there is a historical reference to every character but Honey. Could you tell me who Honey is suppose to represent? Kim
  Dear Kim,
  I don't recall that the majority of critics have said that there is a historical reference to every character except Honey. One or two may have said this. The characters are themselves. They are three-dimensional live people and if occasionally the script makes joking reference to historical associations, pay very little attention to it.
  Edward Albee
• Strengths of George and Martha
  I am 16 years old and I am currently enjoying reading "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" In your opinion who would you say is the stronger in the George/Martha relationship? Chris
  Dear Chris,
  I don't think George or Martha is stronger. I think they are of equal strength, though their strengths are different.
  Edward Albee
• New Carthage - Old Carthage
  I really enjoyed reading "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", but there are still some questions left: In how far is the name of the city -New Carthage- where the play takes place, connected with the ancient Carthage? Kind regards, Valerie
  Dear Valerie,
  George refers to New Carthage as an ironic commentary to what happened to Old Carthage.
  Edward Albee
• Portrayal of Women
  Mr Albee, I realized that you give a negative portrayal of women in a number of your plays. For example, in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "A Delicate Balance." Could you please inform me about the reasons behind this delineation of women? And what is your personal opinion regarding women? Thank you. Anne
  Dear Anne,
  My portrayal of women is no more negative or positive than my portrayal of men. My women are strong, intelligent (with the exception of Honey), and if they sometimes seem aggressive it is because of the failure of some men to live up to their responsibilities.
  Edward Albee
• Influence of Being Brought up in an Affluent Family
  Can you tell me if your being brought up in an affluent family influenced your writing? Your answer is greatly appreciated. Monika
  Dear Monika,
  Since The American Dream is about a wealthy family, and since the portrayals of Mommy, Daddy, and Grandma are based on my adoptive family, I'm sure it's a case of life influencing art.
  Edward Albee
• Connection to T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land"
  Mr. Albee, I loved your play, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," although it left me with a very unsettling (but enjoyable) feeling! Now I am reading "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot. Did his poem influence the first act of your play? In reading the poem, I can see several similarities. Thank you. Laeh
  Dear Laeh,
  I like to think that I've been usefully influenced by every thing I have read, and I'm sure T.S. Eliot's work influenced me. Though I can't be specific.
  Edward Albee
• College or University?
  Why does George (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf) refer to his workplace, which is identified in the text as a "small New England college," as a "university" at several points in the play? While it is not uncommon for the terms to be used interchangeably by the general public, there is a clear and significant distinction between the terms which is basic knowledge among academics (a university is a large institution containing several colleges) and it does not seem to me to be an error that George, as an academic himself, would make. Nor does it seem to me that there is anything to be gained, in this context (Martha and Nick obviously know it's a college) by aggrandizing New Carthage into anything it's not. Bruce
  Dear Bruce,
  I think the problem is simply the author not being careful. Of course it's a college.
  Edward Albee
• (1) The allusion is to a popular American children's song which is based on a story called "The Three Little Pigs". In this story, three pigs attempt to outsmart a wolf and they sing " Who's afraid of the big bad wolf" the whole time.