Themes In The Zoo Story

Outline
I.Theoretical Part: Anger in Literature 1-Definitions: a -Lucius Lactantius defines anger as‘‘an emotion of the mind arousing itself for restraining of faults’’. b- Joyce Meyer thinks that anger is ‘‘ an emotion often characterized by feelings of great displeasure ,indignation, hostility, wrath and vengeance ’’. c-In psychology,anger is ‘‘a negative, phenomenological feeling state that motivates desires for actions’’.

2-Origins: a-

3- Characteristics: a-The most common themes are frustration, violence, revenge, alienation , loneliness and class distinction. b-The techniques are experimental elements .They are more realistic thus, there is lack of literary devices .Symbolism, irony and satire are most

Albee uses dramatic elements involving; the setting, the characters, the actions, the language and the plot of the play in order to express his idea. The zoo story introduces themes of frustration, violence, isolation, lack of communication and class distinction, which are a normal reflection of anger, resulting in the violent end of the play. Most absurdist works are marked by using allegory and satire as methods for criticizing. In the zoo story, Peter and Jerry can be regarded as representations of two experiences of contemporary America

Through the characters, Albee focuses on frustration, violence, isolation, lack of communication and class distinction, using allegory and satire as his common techniques. He employes also the language as an effective method for expressing the anger and violence inside the characters and their despair that led to the shocking end at the end using a perfect setting ,which is a central park, to fulfil his examination. Therefore. the play is considered a typical example of the Absurd Theatre ,which focuses on criticizing the people and the society at that