Edward Albee's The Zoo Story

1. Research Edward Albee. Take brief notes about his career and style of writing in your journal.

2. Go the library and check out the play: The Zoo Story by Edward Albee.

3. Get together in reading groups of 2 or 3. These groups are only for a day, so please work with someone you know you can trust to focus on the assignment. If you are in a group of 4, I will split you into two groups of 2. I prefer no one work alone, as it is important for you to practice reading out loud.

4. Read The Zoo Story together in your groups today. Assign parts as follows:

a. 3 students: one play Jerry, one play Peter, one read the stage directions where appropriate (only the longer directions).
b. 2 students: one play Jerry, the other play Peter, read the stage directions silently.
c. If you have been stubborn and must work alone, you may either join a group of two, or read alone, but realize you are missing part of your practice and cheating yourself out of more effective performance skills.

5. AFTER READING THE PLAY: In your group answer the following questions – discuss first with your group, then individually write down to turn in at the end of today's class the answers to these questions:

Plays are based on conflict. Conflict can come in 4 “flavors” or types:

• i. Person vs. Person

• ii. Person vs. Self

• iii. Person vs. Nature

• iv. Person vs. Society or God

A. What kind of conflict does Albee use in this play? Why do you say this?
B. Are there other kinds of conflict that occur within the story? If so, where are they found?
6. What seems to be the significance of Jerry’s story of the dog? What do you personally learn about yourself and the human world from this metaphor?
7. What might be symbolic about the Zoo? What does the Zoo represent? Why do you think Albee called his play “The Zoo Story”? How does the title help create meaning?

HOMEWORK: None.