86 pages • 2 hours read
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
272
Play • Fiction
New England • 1960s
1962
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee centers on a tumultuous night between George, a professor, and his wife, Martha, after a university party. They host a younger couple, Nick and Honey, subjecting them to psychological games and revealing deep-seated resentments. The line blurs between illusion and reality, culminating in a dramatic climax that reveals painful truths about their lives. Sensitive topics include psychological manipulation and dysfunctional relationships.
Dark
Unnerving
Challenging
Emotional
Suspenseful
Reviews & Readership
70,853 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is widely praised for its sharp dialogue, complex characters, and unflinching portrayal of marital dysfunction. Critics commend its emotional depth and dark humor, though some find its intensity overwhelming. Its powerful exploration of human vulnerability remains impactful, albeit challenging to digest.
Who Should Read Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf??
Fans of intense psychological drama and character-driven narratives will enjoy Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Readers intrigued by complex relationships akin to those in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire or Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman will find this play riveting. Ideal for those who appreciate theatrical literature.
70,853 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
George
George
Martha's husband, a 46-year-old history professor with graying hair, whose reserved nature contrasts with Martha's exuberance. He grapples with feelings of inadequacy both professionally and personally.
Honey
Honey
A 26-year-old petite blond woman, Honey is Nick's wife and tends to have an anxious, sweet demeanor. Her seemingly simplistic exterior hides deeper complexities in her personal life.
Nick
Nick
A handsome and fit 30-year-old, Nick is a new biology professor and Honey's husband. His confidence and ambition make him a striking presence in the academic and social scene.
272
Play • Fiction
New England • 1960s
1962
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.