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Self-Deception and Delusion as a Psychological Shield Against Reality: A Study of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities · Area of research: Literary Psychology
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I2-1722211
Abstract
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1962) is a profound exploration of the psychological mechanisms individuals employ to cope with emotional pain, existential anxiety, and the harsh realities of life. This paper examines the themes of self-deception and delusion as psychological defense mechanisms that protect the characters from confronting their personal failures, fractured relationships, and unfulfilled aspirations. Drawing upon psychological concepts proposed by Sigmund Freud, Carl Gustav Jung, and contemporary theories of defense mechanisms, the study investigates how illusion functions both as a source of emotional survival and as a catalyst for psychological disintegration. George and Martha, the central characters, construct an elaborate imaginary world most notably through the invention of their fictitious son to compensate for their childlessness, marital dissatisfaction, and loss of identity. Their persistent reliance on fabricated narratives demonstrates the human tendency to substitute illusion for reality when faced with unbearable emotional truths. The paper further analyzes the symbolic significance of the title, which questions the fear of living without comforting illusions and emphasizes the psychological vulnerability associated with confronting reality. Through the interactions among George, Martha, Nick, and Honey, Albee exposes the fragility of identity, the collapse of the American Dream, and the existential emptiness concealed beneath social respectability. The study argues that while self-deception temporarily shields individuals from psychological trauma, it ultimately intensifies alienation, emotional conflict, and personal disintegration. By employing a socio-psychological and existential framework, the paper demonstrates that Albee presents illusion not merely as deception but as a complex survival strategy that reflects the universal human struggle between reality and fantasy. Ultimately, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Suggests that genuine psychological liberation is possible only through the painful acceptance of truth, however devastating it may be. The play thus remains a timeless exploration of the psychological consequences of self-deception and the enduring human quest for authenticity in an increasingly fragmented world.
Keywords
Illusion, Existentialism, Divided Self, Imaginary Child, Dysfunctional Marriage, and Psychological Defense Mechanism.
How to cite this paper
@article{1722211,
author = {Sudhir Kumar, Dr. Ravindra Kumar},
title = {Self-Deception and Delusion as a Psychological Shield Against Reality: A Study of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {2},
pages = {783-788},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1722211.pdf},
abstract = {Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1962) is a profound exploration of the psychological mechanisms individuals employ to cope with emotional pain, existential anxiety, and the harsh realities of life. This paper examines the themes of self-deception and delusion as psychological defense mechanisms that protect the characters from confronting their personal failures, fractured relationships, and unfulfilled aspirations. Drawing upon psychological concepts proposed by Sigmund Freud, Carl Gustav Jung, and contemporary theories of defense mechanisms, the study investigates how illusion functions both as a source of emotional survival and as a catalyst for psychological disintegration. George and Martha, the central characters, construct an elaborate imaginary world most notably through the invention of their fictitious son to compensate for their childlessness, marital dissatisfaction, and loss of identity. Their persistent reliance on fabricated narratives demonstrates the human tendency to substitute illusion for reality when faced with unbearable emotional truths. The paper further analyzes the symbolic significance of the title, which questions the fear of living without comforting illusions and emphasizes the psychological vulnerability associated with confronting reality. Through the interactions among George, Martha, Nick, and Honey, Albee exposes the fragility of identity, the collapse of the American Dream, and the existential emptiness concealed beneath social respectability. The study argues that while self-deception temporarily shields individuals from psychological trauma, it ultimately intensifies alienation, emotional conflict, and personal disintegration. By employing a socio-psychological and existential framework, the paper demonstrates that Albee presents illusion not merely as deception but as a complex survival strategy that reflects the universal human struggle between reality and fantasy. Ultimately, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Suggests that genuine psychological liberation is possible only through the painful acceptance of truth, however devastating it may be. The play thus remains a timeless exploration of the psychological consequences of self-deception and the enduring human quest for authenticity in an increasingly fragmented world.},
keywords = {Illusion, Existentialism, Divided Self, Imaginary Child, Dysfunctional Marriage, and Psychological Defense Mechanism.},
month = {August},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I2-1722211}
}