Open Prompt Revision #3

2007. In many works of literature, past events can affect, positively or negatively, the present activities, attitudes, or values of a character. Choose a novel or play in which a character must contend with some aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Then write an essay in which you show how the character's relationship to the past contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.

 The play "The American Dream" written by Edward Albee, is a classic of the theater of absurd. Albee draws on several elements to illuminate the oddity of this play. One includes eluding to the family's unbelievable past. As readers learn more about the bumble, we are able to understand the plot and story line much better.

 Every single member of the family has a past that involves the bumble. Due to the arrival of Mrs Barker and later the Young Man, they are forced to contend with that past. While most charecters facing thier past would normally recollect on what happened, none of the family does. The readers are left in the dark, forced to piece together the story line of their past that no one seems to remember. This unknown past is literally the basis of the entire story. That is why everyone is here that day.  The past events add a creepy undertone to what would otherwise seem like a pretty normal story line. It also lets readers gather a deeper understanding of who mommy and daddy really are and the theme of the story. We can see that they closely relate to the theme, which is the American dream.  Many would assume that they achieved that dream in the past when the bumble was present, but mommy and daddy thought otherwise. They were never satisfied and will only ever achieve false satisfaction. 

Albee's lack of details in this story adds to the mysterious ambiance of both the past and the present. His use of Diction and language make up for the lack of details. For example, Albee uses a lot of repetition of certain words to emphasize a point. Also, he uses very bland language to symbolize the family and the life they live. Many times the tone is hard to receive, as a reader you are not sure whether they are being condescending or admiring. Albee also switches the roles back and forth, as it seems like either mommy or daddy are always playing the child, due to their lack there of.

"The American Dream" would not be the play it is without the aspect of their past.This personal elements adds to the character's relationships and the works meaning as a whole.

~Dana