The House of Blue Leaves

by John Guare

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Topics for Further Study

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Explore August Strindberg’s The Dance of Death (1901) and Georges Feydeau’s A Flea in Her Ear (1907)—two plays that influenced Guare during the creation of The House of Blue Leaves. How do the themes and narratives of these plays connect to The House of Blue Leaves?

Investigate absurdist theater, focusing on works like Eugene Ionesco’s The Chairs. What absurdist qualities are present in The House of Blue Leaves? How do these elements enhance the play and contribute to its overall meaning?

Examine how individuals with mental illnesses, such as Bananas Shaughnessy, were treated during the mid-1960s. Is her depiction of receiving care at home depicted accurately in the play?

Look into the events of October 4, 1965, the day on which the play is set. Include details about the Pope’s visit to New York City. What insights do these events provide about the society of that time?

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