Brief SummaryBrief SummaryThe setting of the play in the beginning is a bright day. the play starts as The setting of the play in the beginning is a bright day. the play starts as

mommy and daddy enter the stage where the young man is playing calisthenics. The mommy and daddy enter the stage where the young man is playing calisthenics. The young man is symbolically represented as the angel of death. Meanwhile, the musician young man is symbolically represented as the angel of death. Meanwhile, the musician enters the stage and starts to play the music.enters the stage and starts to play the music.

Both mommy and daddy exit to bring in the grandmother. After bringing her in, Both mommy and daddy exit to bring in the grandmother. After bringing her in, they put grandmother on the sandbox. the grandma makes the noise Ahhhh! Graaa! they put grandmother on the sandbox. the grandma makes the noise Ahhhh! Graaa! Mommy and daddy wait for grandma's death and console her to be quiet. The Mommy and daddy wait for grandma's death and console her to be quiet. The grandmother starts saying to audience about the plight of an old woman. she recalls how grandmother starts saying to audience about the plight of an old woman. she recalls how she was married in the age of 17, and now how she is dumped in pile of sand to wait for she was married in the age of 17, and now how she is dumped in pile of sand to wait for death. she remembers the yearning of the past her farmer life and how she raised the big death. she remembers the yearning of the past her farmer life and how she raised the big cow lonesome.cow lonesome.

she also speaks with great compassion to the young man who himself is the she also speaks with great compassion to the young man who himself is the angel of death. Grandma well.. uh.. I have to talk some more don't you go away. the angel of death. Grandma well.. uh.. I have to talk some more don't you go away. the grandma also tells young man how her life changed after her daughter (mommy in the grandma also tells young man how her life changed after her daughter (mommy in the play) got married to move into the town where she was provided with an army blanket and play) got married to move into the town where she was provided with an army blanket and own dish.own dish.

Suddenly, an offstage rumble is heard. mommy and daddy are frightened but Suddenly, an offstage rumble is heard. mommy and daddy are frightened but grandma mocks at them. She ask her kids to be brave and bear it up with a another big grandma mocks at them. She ask her kids to be brave and bear it up with a another big rumble, the lights go out. Only the young man is spotted on the stage. The Light come up rumble, the lights go out. Only the young man is spotted on the stage. The Light come up around and it is a daybreak. Grandma lay covered with sand busily shoveling herself. around and it is a daybreak. Grandma lay covered with sand busily shoveling herself. Mommy and daddy praise each other for their bravery on the stage.Mommy and daddy praise each other for their bravery on the stage.

The grandma is now along in the palms of young man who is the angel of The grandma is now along in the palms of young man who is the angel of death. At this part of the play, the young man gives his real introduction.death. At this part of the play, the young man gives his real introduction."I am the angel of death. I am... uh... i am come for you"."I am the angel of death. I am... uh... i am come for you".

The young man then bends over the grandma and kisses on her forehead. The young man then bends over the grandma and kisses on her forehead. Grandma brave fully accept the departure from what we call life in this world. At the last Grandma brave fully accept the departure from what we call life in this world. At the last scene the young man puts his hand on grandma forehead and welcomes her the curtain scene the young man puts his hand on grandma forehead and welcomes her the curtain slowly comes down and the music goes on playing.slowly comes down and the music goes on playing.

In Edward Albee's play the "Sandbox" two of the major characters were very In Edward Albee's play the "Sandbox" two of the major characters were very intriguing. Mommy and Daddy's relationship is a classic example of how Albee mixes intriguing. Mommy and Daddy's relationship is a classic example of how Albee mixes ordinary people and grim humor. Mommy is fifty-five, a well-dressed imposing woman. ordinary people and grim humor. Mommy is fifty-five, a well-dressed imposing woman. Daddy is sixty, a man of small stature with gray hair. Mommy is the natural born leader of Daddy is sixty, a man of small stature with gray hair. Mommy is the natural born leader of the two. she is the decision maker of the family. Daddy never disagrees with Mommy. He the two. she is the decision maker of the family. Daddy never disagrees with Mommy. He does whatever she desires. She is the one who made the decision to put Grandma in the does whatever she desires. She is the one who made the decision to put Grandma in the "sandbox" the remaining hours of her life. Mommy made this decision to remove some of "sandbox" the remaining hours of her life. Mommy made this decision to remove some of the stress out of her own life. the stress out of her own life. Mommy is the one who made the decision to start the music in go... Mommy is the one who made the decision to start the music in go... she is the decision maker of the family. He also comforted Mommy when the death of her she is the decision maker of the family. He also comforted Mommy when the death of her mother was at hand. He exhibited this characteristic by asking Mommy if Grandma was mother was at hand. He exhibited this characteristic by asking Mommy if Grandma was comfortable in the sandbox. comfortable in the sandbox.

Mommy and Daddy's marriage was one of tolerating each other instead of being Mommy and Daddy's marriage was one of tolerating each other instead of being based upon mutual affection. She is the one who made the decision to put Grandma in the based upon mutual affection. She is the one who made the decision to put Grandma in the "sandbox" the remaining hours of her life. Toward the end of the play we see a spark of "sandbox" the remaining hours of her life. Toward the end of the play we see a spark of hope for their marriage as they comfort each other in their time of grief. It was as if she hope for their marriage as they comfort each other in their time of grief. It was as if she wanted the whole world to stop in her own troubled times. wanted the whole world to stop in her own troubled times.

Mommy and Daddy's marriage was one of tolerating each other instead of being Mommy and Daddy's marriage was one of tolerating each other instead of being based upon mutual affection. He exhibited this characteristic by asking Mommy if Grandma based upon mutual affection. He exhibited this characteristic by asking Mommy if Grandma was comfortable in the sandbox. Albee puts a light hearted twist on common day was comfortable in the sandbox. Albee puts a light hearted twist on common day occurrences in his play. Mommy made this decision to remove some of the stress out of occurrences in his play. Mommy made this decision to remove some of the stress out of her own life. her own life.

In Edward Albee's play the "Sandbox" two of the major characters were very In Edward Albee's play the "Sandbox" two of the major characters were very intriguing. Daddy is sixty, a man of small stature with gray hairintriguing. Daddy is sixty, a man of small stature with gray hair

INTERPRETATION

The story in The Sandbox by Edward Albee, unfolds in an interesting, The story in The Sandbox by Edward Albee, unfolds in an interesting, a typical way. It begins with Daddy and Mommy walking onto a mostly bare a typical way. It begins with Daddy and Mommy walking onto a mostly bare stage that has only a sandbox and a young man in the corner who is stretching. stage that has only a sandbox and a young man in the corner who is stretching. Next Grandma enters, babbling like a small baby. She is placed in the sandbox Next Grandma enters, babbling like a small baby. She is placed in the sandbox by Mommy and she begins to speak incoherently. A musician is called onstage by Mommy and she begins to speak incoherently. A musician is called onstage to play a clarinet. In between these scenes, Mommy and Daddy discuss. They to play a clarinet. In between these scenes, Mommy and Daddy discuss. They begin to really ignore her and in between she converses with the young man begin to really ignore her and in between she converses with the young man doing calisthenics in the corner. He eventually takes her away to death. The doing calisthenics in the corner. He eventually takes her away to death. The music, symbolizing her life, ends. The sandbox never again opened, and they music, symbolizing her life, ends. The sandbox never again opened, and they never saw her again. Grandma’s babbling and incapacitated state is meant to never saw her again. Grandma’s babbling and incapacitated state is meant to show the innocent incapable state of the newborn and the elderly alike. He show the innocent incapable state of the newborn and the elderly alike. He symbolizes death, as is proven by his words in his conversations with the old symbolizes death, as is proven by his words in his conversations with the old woman. Mommy and Daddy ignore her, as many people do when they don’t woman. Mommy and Daddy ignore her, as many people do when they don’t want to deal with their elderly parents or young children. They had taken for want to deal with their elderly parents or young children. They had taken for granted everything she meant to them. They had spent their time and money granted everything she meant to them. They had spent their time and money on themselves, denying her everything she needed and wanted. The musician on themselves, denying her everything she needed and wanted. The musician plays a song throughout; a song that Mommy and Daddy often hush. The plays a song throughout; a song that Mommy and Daddy often hush. The young man in the corner stretches and talks to the old woman. young man in the corner stretches and talks to the old woman.

The large sandbox in the middle is meant to symbolize a coffin and its The large sandbox in the middle is meant to symbolize a coffin and its permanent nature of keeping someone inside. In the end, when the young man permanent nature of keeping someone inside. In the end, when the young man takes Grandma away from Mommy and Daddy, there is unspoken death. takes Grandma away from Mommy and Daddy, there is unspoken death.

In his play, “The Sandbox,” Edward Albee expresses his feelings of disappointment In his play, “The Sandbox,” Edward Albee expresses his feelings of disappointment regarding the way our society treats the elderly. Albee cleverly conveys his ideas and opinions in the regarding the way our society treats the elderly. Albee cleverly conveys his ideas and opinions in the form of an allegory. After reading the play once through, it seems humorous and almost silly if you form of an allegory. After reading the play once through, it seems humorous and almost silly if you picture the literal meaning of the grandmother being thrown into the sandbox with a toy shovel, a picture the literal meaning of the grandmother being thrown into the sandbox with a toy shovel, a young man doing calisthenics, and the emotionless bickering between Mommy and Daddy. However, young man doing calisthenics, and the emotionless bickering between Mommy and Daddy. However, after looking closer at the play, one finds deeper and more depressing meaning in this bizarre drama. after looking closer at the play, one finds deeper and more depressing meaning in this bizarre drama. Albee portrays Mommy and Daddy as self-involved and selfish people who cannot be bothered with Albee portrays Mommy and Daddy as self-involved and selfish people who cannot be bothered with Grandmother. Mommy is the most dominant of the pair and finds it to be second nature to direct Grandmother. Mommy is the most dominant of the pair and finds it to be second nature to direct Daddy and take charge of their actions. Grandma seems to be at the mercy of Mommy and Daddy Daddy and take charge of their actions. Grandma seems to be at the mercy of Mommy and Daddy and sarcastically relays the story of how poorly she is treated. At the beginning of the play, we get a and sarcastically relays the story of how poorly she is treated. At the beginning of the play, we get a taste of the unusual relationship between Mommy and Daddy. Immediately, one may think that the taste of the unusual relationship between Mommy and Daddy. Immediately, one may think that the names “Mommy” and “Daddy” suggest that they have kids of their own. However, after reading the names “Mommy” and “Daddy” suggest that they have kids of their own. However, after reading the play my feeling was that Mommy and Daddy did not fully understand the parent/child relationship.play my feeling was that Mommy and Daddy did not fully understand the parent/child relationship.

Mommy does not hesitate to take charge as she cries out, “Let’s get on with it” (p. Mommy Mommy does not hesitate to take charge as she cries out, “Let’s get on with it” (p. Mommy attempts, again, to dismiss her guilty conscience saying that it is “hard to be sad… she looks… so attempts, again, to dismiss her guilty conscience saying that it is “hard to be sad… she looks… so happy” , and tends to boss Daddy around by reminding him that it is “Whatever I (she) say” happy” , and tends to boss Daddy around by reminding him that it is “Whatever I (she) say”

It is clear, in the beginning of the play that Mommy and especially Daddy want to get the It is clear, in the beginning of the play that Mommy and especially Daddy want to get the funeral over with. 36) and tries to grab attention by screaming, “GRAAAA!” (p. When the supposed funeral over with. 36) and tries to grab attention by screaming, “GRAAAA!” (p. When the supposed time has come for Grandma, Daddy says that they’ve got to be brave and Grandma laughs, mocking time has come for Grandma, Daddy says that they’ve got to be brave and Grandma laughs, mocking the suggested notion that they will really be affected by Grandma’s death. Also, when Grandma tells the suggested notion that they will really be affected by Grandma’s death. Also, when Grandma tells the Young Man to not go away and he responds “Oh, no” this implies that the Angel of Death is taking the Young Man to not go away and he responds “Oh, no” this implies that the Angel of Death is taking Grandma this time without a doubt (p. Of course, by now, it is obvious that Grandma is dead. Grandma this time without a doubt (p. Of course, by now, it is obvious that Grandma is dead. Perhaps, we, as a society, should think twice before we choose to ignore our conscience and spend Perhaps, we, as a society, should think twice before we choose to ignore our conscience and spend more of our efforts in expressing compassion like Grandma at the end of the play as she softly more of our efforts in expressing compassion like Grandma at the end of the play as she softly remarks, “You’re… you’re welcome… dear. He convinces me of this notion through his allegory remarks, “You’re… you’re welcome… dear. He convinces me of this notion through his allegory approach. relationship as they lacked the compassion typical of a parent and, therefore, likely did not approach. relationship as they lacked the compassion typical of a parent and, therefore, likely did not have kids.have kids.

Through his one-act play The Sandbox, Edward Albee has extended the allegory; his Through his one-act play The Sandbox, Edward Albee has extended the allegory; his characters not only exist as symbols, but are more than vaguely aware of themselves as such. As characters not only exist as symbols, but are more than vaguely aware of themselves as such. As caricatures rather than characters, they maintain a consciousness of their presence on stage as caricatures rather than characters, they maintain a consciousness of their presence on stage as well as the stereotypical rules and emotions they are meant to display. Specifically through well as the stereotypical rules and emotions they are meant to display. Specifically through Mommy and Daddy's vacuous and immediate shifts to "appropriate" attitudes, Edward Albee Mommy and Daddy's vacuous and immediate shifts to "appropriate" attitudes, Edward Albee issues his value statement. In effect, Shakespeare's assessment that "All the world's a stage,/And issues his value statement. In effect, Shakespeare's assessment that "All the world's a stage,/And all men and women merely players" has been reanalyzed and extended by Albee, culminating in a all men and women merely players" has been reanalyzed and extended by Albee, culminating in a work which declares the conventional conception of death as affected and contrived. work which declares the conventional conception of death as affected and contrived.

Almost deceiving in its straightforwardness is the opening note on Mommy and Daddy Almost deceiving in its straightforwardness is the opening note on Mommy and Daddy and the "pre-senility and vacuity of their characters." Daddy's ensuing questions as to what is to and the "pre-senility and vacuity of their characters." Daddy's ensuing questions as to what is to be done, and Mommy's resulting composed answers set in motion the implication of an end-of-life be done, and Mommy's resulting composed answers set in motion the implication of an end-of-life ritual whose spiritual meaning has long since passed away. At one point, Daddy asks Mommy if ritual whose spiritual meaning has long since passed away. At one point, Daddy asks Mommy if they should conduct a conversation. Mommy responds, "Well, you can talk, if you want to...if you they should conduct a conversation. Mommy responds, "Well, you can talk, if you want to...if you can think of anything to say...if you can think of anything new." Daddy's rejoinder in the negative can think of anything to say...if you can think of anything new." Daddy's rejoinder in the negative establishes early on that his and Mommy's existences, and therefore actions, are hackneyed, establishes early on that his and Mommy's existences, and therefore actions, are hackneyed, artificial, mundane, and devoid of any true, personal meaning. artificial, mundane, and devoid of any true, personal meaning.

By the air of preparation which pervades the play, and by Grandma's death in the end, By the air of preparation which pervades the play, and by Grandma's death in the end, a connection is made, and The Sand Box is duly noted as Albee's address on custom surrounding a connection is made, and The Sand Box is duly noted as Albee's address on custom surrounding the coming of life's passing. The creation of an W W W W W W in which the actors are aware of the coming of life's passing. The creation of an W W W W W W in which the actors are aware of their presence of stage breaks ground for Albee's take on society's engagement in role-playing. their presence of stage breaks ground for Albee's take on society's engagement in role-playing. Requesting appropriate background music, and making remarks on lighting, Albee's characters Requesting appropriate background music, and making remarks on lighting, Albee's characters cannot escape discredit regarding the genuine. Similarly, Albee greets the close advance of death cannot escape discredit regarding the genuine. Similarly, Albee greets the close advance of death with the suitable stereotypes of sudden darkness, violin playing, "a violent off-stage rumble," and with the suitable stereotypes of sudden darkness, violin playing, "a violent off-stage rumble," and Mommy's brief tears. Mommy's brief tears.

RHETORICS

Inevitably, the sincerity of Mommy and Daddy has been cast in doubt and all Inevitably, the sincerity of Mommy and Daddy has been cast in doubt and all subsequent words and actions bear resemblance to conventions. In a remarkable shift of subsequent words and actions bear resemblance to conventions. In a remarkable shift of attitude, Mommy declares to Daddy: "Our long night is over. We must put away our attitude, Mommy declares to Daddy: "Our long night is over. We must put away our mourning..." They do so by gazing at an inanimate Grandma and casually observing how "It's mourning..." They do so by gazing at an inanimate Grandma and casually observing how "It's hard to be sad... she looks... so happy." Mommy's hesitation, and Albee's exclusion of a hard to be sad... she looks... so happy." Mommy's hesitation, and Albee's exclusion of a stage note recommending a serenely content-in-death Grandma, indicate the affected nature stage note recommending a serenely content-in-death Grandma, indicate the affected nature of Mommy's statement, and inherently, that of The Sand Box, as a whole. of Mommy's statement, and inherently, that of The Sand Box, as a whole.

Pointing out the dysfunctional family, Edward Albee begins his non-direct approach Pointing out the dysfunctional family, Edward Albee begins his non-direct approach to the subject of death and burial. The characters Mommy and Daddy are husband and wife to the subject of death and burial. The characters Mommy and Daddy are husband and wife they paint a picture of a typical bossy older woman and a submissive husband. After the they paint a picture of a typical bossy older woman and a submissive husband. After the Mommy and Daddy place the grandma in the sandbox they just sit and wait for her to die. Mommy and Daddy place the grandma in the sandbox they just sit and wait for her to die. The grandma seems to be old, fragile, senile and difficult to care for. All are connected with The grandma seems to be old, fragile, senile and difficult to care for. All are connected with getting old, death and burial. The young man lets grandma know her time has come to die. getting old, death and burial. The young man lets grandma know her time has come to die. Albee’s silly way of presenting this play, we still see the symbolism of the characters and Albee’s silly way of presenting this play, we still see the symbolism of the characters and props in the play. This symbolizes her death and burial. She was married young, raised a props in the play. This symbolizes her death and burial. She was married young, raised a family and worked on a farm. The young man in the story represents the angel of death. But family and worked on a farm. The young man in the story represents the angel of death. But we are faced to look down memory lane and see what type of life grandma had. we are faced to look down memory lane and see what type of life grandma had.

The Sandbox's irony is that the children took in the wife's mother, and treated her The Sandbox's irony is that the children took in the wife's mother, and treated her worse than a dog. When the angel of death came, she was ready to go. Her children had worse than a dog. When the angel of death came, she was ready to go. Her children had money, yet they would not use any of it on her. She has been long without her husband, but money, yet they would not use any of it on her. She has been long without her husband, but she would rather be alone then treated the way she is with her daughter and her husband. she would rather be alone then treated the way she is with her daughter and her husband. The mother does not like the way the daughter treats the husband either.The mother does not like the way the daughter treats the husband either.

The Sandbox is a very simple play with a complex meaning behind it. It relates to The Sandbox is a very simple play with a complex meaning behind it. It relates to the modern American family.the modern American family.