An Analysis Of Dramatic Conflict In Edward Albee's 'Zoo Story'

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An Analysis of Dramatic Conflict in a “Zoo Story” by Edward Albee, Stand Clear of the Closing Doors, and Sonnets for an Old Century by Jose Rivera In Edward Albee’s “Zoo Story”, the conflict between character vs. character is generated through the differing class backgrounds of Peter and Jerry. Peter is a well-to-do family man that appears to have very few worries in life. In opposition this class background, Jerry is a confused and lost individual that seeks a deeper relationship with other people. The primary stasis of the conflict is based on the Central Park setting of the play, which allows the men to meet each other in a balanced environment. The intrusion of the play comes when Jerry becomes hostile Peter over the issue of innocence: “You're a very sweet man, and you're possessed of a truly enviable innocence” (Albee p.5). This catalyst in the character v. character conflict escalates into Jerry brandishing a knife against Peter. Inevitably, the Jerry’s jealousy of Peter’s innocence …show more content…

in case you're a ... a holdup man ... ha, ha, ha” (Albee 3). The social problem of class conflict is a major issue in the character v. society dichotomy that angers Jerry in his conversation with Peter. In fact, Jerry wants peter to suffer because he does not understand the difficulties of being from the lower classes. This is one reason why Jerry is so aggressive in forcing Peter to end his life, so that he can also suffer like people of a lower class status: “hat I do have, I have toilet articles, a few clothes, a hot plate that I'm not supposed to have, a can opener” (Albee 5). These are important social issues that define the class conflict that Jerry and Peter endure the Albee’s “Zoo

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