Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Multiple Choice

1. B (Act I)

2. A (Act I)

3. C (Act I)

4. B (Act I)

5. A (Act I)

6. B (Various acts)

7. B (Various acts)

8. C (Various acts)

9. B (Various acts)

10. A (Act III)

11. C (Various acts)

12. D (Various acts)

13. B (Various acts)

14. A (Various acts)

15. D (Act III)

Long Answer

1. The title “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” mirrors the syllables of song lyrics “Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf.” Martha initially sings this phrase to her husband, referencing the song she made up at the party, and reminding her husband how funny he found it. The songs is sung numerous times throughout the play, including when Martha and Nick begin to become intimate and George sees them. The song is sung by George at the end of the play, to which Martha meekly responds “I am.” In the end, this is the admission that she is scared to continue living behind an illusion. (Various acts)

2. Albee’s play is structured in three acts, with all dialogue performed by George, Honey, Martha and Nick. For the majority of the play, most of the plot develops in the conversations between George and Nick. Each act has a different title: the first act is “Fun and Games” (a reference to the games that Martha and George play at their guests’ expense, as well as the illusion they live in); the second act is “Walpurgisnacht” (a German word for a night of debauchery in late spring), and the third act is “The Exorcism,” (describing the release of the story of their fake “son” and a return to life without illusions). (All acts)

3. New Carthage references the ancient city of Carthage located in North Africa. Carthage was sacked during the Punic Wars, a reference that George points to when he alludes to the Punic Wars as the time he went to school. (Various acts)