The Zoo Story - Edward Albee

  The Zoo Story

[alert-success] The Zoo Story - Edward Albee

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[alert-primary] Short Summary [/alert-primary]

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        Edward Albee, an American playwright, is most notable for Theatre of the Absurd, as he is the only American dramatist from this group. Through his work, The Zoo Story, Albee intends to imply that the human condition is preposterous and nihilistic, but in this work he neither positions himself as a realist nor an absurdist. This one-act play adheres to the unity of action, time, and location, as the entire play takes place on two benches in Central Park within twenty-four hours with only two main characters, Peter and Jerry. These two characters represent the two distinct socioeconomic extremes, as the two sects are unable to communicate with one another.
        Peter, a man in his forties, represents the upper class segment of society, while Jerry, in his late thirties, represents the lower class segment; both characters are dissatisfied with their lives. Here at the beginning of the play, Peter is sitting on a park bench and reading a book when Jerry enters the scene and announces, "I've been to the zoo (Peter doesn't notice)."
        Albee uses the play as a zoo instrument to demonstrate the unique characteristics of humans, as the play's audience witnesses the zoo of humans. Here, the character Jerry desires to join a company, but Peter demonstrates only indifference. In spite of this, Jerry is able to strike up a conversation with strangers and glean every piece of confidential information about Peter, including Peter's salary, family with children, two televisions in his home, and inability to have another child. But in his personal life, he is extremely lonely and desolate; he cannot even befriend a dog.

Now, here is what I had wanted to happen: I had tried to live, and I had tried to kill, and both had been unsuccessful by themselves I hoped... and don’t really know why I expected the dog to understand anything, much less my motivation I hoped that the dog would understand.  

        As Jerry desires the dog's companionship, the dog does not reciprocate. Jerry believes that he must travel a great distance in order to make a modest amount of progress. Here, he desires the companionship of anyone, but his plans are futile. As he attempts to gain the dog's friendship, he tries both to live and to end his existence, but without success. He is so lonely that he requires the companionship of a dog. As he was abandoned by humans, he desires at least for the dog to comprehend his emotions. 

People can’t have everything they want. You should know that; it’s a rule; people can have some of the things they want, but they can’t have everything.

        These lines are the result of Peter's discontent with his existence. Despite his financial success, he does not live the life he desires. Peter's action of reading a fictional book in the park reveals his inner yearning to live a different existence, as he is unable to do so in reality. Therefore, he expresses his desire for a better existence to Jerry, which Jerry finds absurd. Jerry expresses his displeasure with the action he took to obtain the bench seat.

You have everything in the world you want; you’re told me about you home, and your family, and your own little zoo. You have everything and now you want this bench. Is this the thing in the world you’d fight for? Can you think of anything more absurd?

        Humans, according to Albee, do not experience life satisfaction. Here, Jerry leads a miserable existence and desires to escape it. However, in regards to Jerry's concern, Peter has an existence that he desires, but he is not satisfied with it. This is the fundamental nature of humans: to always covet something they lack and to be dissatisfied with their current state. Jerry ultimately commits suicide after finding solace in Peter's companionship.