1950s & 1960s
What type of family was idealized in 1960s and 1950s
Stable/ Nuclear family
“Truth or illusion, George. Doesn’t it matter to you...at all?”
Martha
The play takes place mostly in this location.
Their living room / house
How does Off-Broadway differ from Broadway in size
It has smaller theaters and audiences
Why do the characters rely on illusions?
To escape their problems
What was expected of marriages in the 1950s and early 1960s?
To appear happy and successful
“I never mix. And then, I don’t drink very much, either.”
Honey
Who are the guests Martha invites
Nick and Honey
Why was Off-Broadway important?
It allowed more honest and experimental content
What illusion do George and Martha create?
An imaginary child
What created pressure for people in the early 1960s?
Expectations of success and maintaining appearances
“It’s a familiar dance...they both know it....”
George
What is the time when the play begins
2:00 a.m.
How does the play differ from traditional 1950s theatre?
It shows raw conflict instead of idealized life
Who is most affected by George and Martha’s illusions besides them
Nick and Honey
This invention became mainstream in the 1950s and changed how Americans spent their evenings at home.
Television
"I am not a houseboy!"
nick
Why do Nick and Honey come to George and Martha’s house
After a faculty party / social visit
How did Off-Broadway reflect changes in American society in the 1960s?
It challenged traditional values and explored taboo topics
How does the “game-playing” between George and Martha relate to illusion vs. reality?
It mixes truth and fiction to manipulate and hurt each other
How does the play reflect the shift from 1950s family ideals to 1960s reality?
It shows that the “perfect” 1950s marriage is an illusion, revealing a more unstable and honest 1960s reality.
“He has blue eyes, Martha.”
George
What is the tone of most of the play’s dialogue?
Sarcastic, hostile, darkly humorous
Why was experimental theatre better suited to exploring 1960s social conflict than traditional Broadway?
It allowed more realism, darker themes, and criticism of social norms
Why is it difficult for George and Martha to fully accept reality?
Because it is emotionally painful and exposes their failures