Self-delusion and Schizophrenia: A Deleuzo-Guattarian Study of Edward Albee's Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf

Abstract

This thesis on Edward Albee's play Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf examines how major characters' schizophrenic acts have the potential to subvert the capitalist ideology of gender binary. It analyzes the play from the perspective of schizoanalysis using ideas of Deleuze and Guattari's concept of schizoanalysis. Schizophrenic characteristics of the play display subversive politics with the radical potential to overthrow capitalistic ideals. In an attempt to escape from the existing reality, Martha and George attempt to live in illusory world and end up being schizophrenic persons as they do not conform to the generally established notion of gender, family life, career and social values. Their desires lead them to a different world of their own. In their acts, they end up becoming split or schizophrenic personalities, which helps them cope with totalizing or repressive capitalist ideology as described by Deleuze and Guattari. Key Terms: Schizophrenia, delusion, desire, capitalism, subversion.