Edward Albee's The Zoo Story: A Metaphorical Search for The Meaning of Life

This paper explores the themes of alienation and the metaphorical search for the meaning of life in Edward Albee's play The Zoo Story (1958), examining how these existential concerns shape human experience. Alienation, as a profound sense of disconnection from society, others, and oneself, is analyzed through various philosophical and literary perspectives, focusing on how the individuals struggle to find meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. This study delves into how different works of literature, theater, and philosophy depict characters grappling with isolation, personal identity, and the pursuit of purpose. Through these narratives, the search for meaning emerges as both a personal journey as well as a collective challenge, often marked by existential crises, despair, and longing for connection. Drawing from the works of existential philosophers like Sartre, Camus, and Kierkegaard, as well as literary examples, the study illuminates how alienation can hinder and propel the quest for understanding. The research argues that the search for meaning drives individuals to confront the complexities of existence, and seek a deeper sense of fulfillment in a world that may offer no clear answers. Through the interaction between two seemingly disparate characters—Jerry, an isolated, disillusioned man, and Peter, an ordinary, middle-class individual, the play explores the profound existential questions that define human existence. Jerry's profound sense of alienation is portrayed as both a personal struggle and a reflection of the larger human condition, marked by disconnection, loneliness, and an overwhelming search for purpose. On the other hand, Peter’s routine life, while seemingly conventional, is revealed to be devoid of true fulfillment, exposing the superficiality of societal norms and expectations.