Death, Dying and Ageing: Thematic Concerns in Edward Albee’s Plays

The book entitled “Death, Dying and Ageing: Thematic Concerns in Edward Albee’s Later Plays.” explores how the theme of mortality is at the core of Edward Albee’s later plays and how its manifestations are evident in the metaphysical themes like death, dying, aging, the sense of loss and the “Death-in-Life” state. It also tries to find whether there is any shift in the existentialist concerns in his later plays as compared to the earlier plays and whether Albee is more introspective and philosophical in the treatment of these themes. As theatre has never contented with merely mirroring or depicting the external world, Albee’s theatre too functions as a forum for questioning; offering some insights. The book examines whether the lack of religious support and spirituality have played any role in the life of contemporary man in Albee’s plays while facing mortality. The book attempts to probe if Albee is suggesting any new strategy to deal with the issue of mortality and whether a fresh perspective can be accomplished in the process. The book signifies the inevitability of human mortality and Albee’s earnest concern to handle these themes repeatedly underscoring its urgency.