Historical Context

Family Life

During the 1970s, American society experienced significant transformation, especially in family dynamics. This era, often referred to as the "me" decade, saw individuals become more introspective and focused on their personal happiness and self-fulfillment. The divorce rate increased, leading to a rise in nontraditional family structures due to divorce and remarriage. Another notable phenomenon of this period was the "empty nest syndrome," where children who left home for college at eighteen did not return after graduation. With no children at home, many mothers felt a sense of loss. Women's lives were evolving; some joined the workforce or pursued further education, while others engaged in volunteer activities.

Women and Feminism

As women's roles within the home shifted, so did their roles in broader society. Many historians view the growing feminist movement of the 1970s as a crucial social development of the decade. Emerging from the social upheaval of the 1960s, the women's movement shared similarities with the civil rights movement. Feminists played a key role in the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) by the Senate in 1972, which was ratified by several states over the decade. Like the Civil Rights Acts, this constitutional amendment aimed to ensure equal rights for women under the law in various areas. However, the ERA ultimately failed because it was not ratified by the required three-quarters of the states. Its failure was partly due to opposition from those who feared societal change, believing that empowering women might harm family structures.

Even though the ERA was not successful, women's issues were addressed through legislation passed by federal and state governments, as well as through court decisions. With more women entering the workforce—about 40% of the workforce was female by 1975—sex discrimination was banned in several areas, including pension rights and hiring practices. Educational opportunities for women expanded significantly. In 1972, Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act ensured women had equal access to higher education and athletic programs. Despite these advancements, many women still did not receive equal pay for equal work, often earning only two-thirds to three-quarters of what men made for the same roles.

The year 1975 held particular significance for women globally. The United Nations declared it the International Women's Year. One of the key events was a United Nations-sponsored conference in Mexico City, Mexico, where women from various countries gathered to discuss women's issues and strive to improve their status worldwide.

Environmental Issues

During the 1970s, environmental and ecological issues gained significant attention in the United States. Many individuals raised their voices about the effects of industrial activities on the environment. There was a notable surge of interest in environmental groups such as the Sierra Club. Key concerns included air and water quality and efforts to curb pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promoted water conservation by setting standards for drinking water quality. Environmental regulations also influenced the licensing processes for nuclear power plants. A major debate of the era revolved around smokestack height regulations: taller smokestacks could emit more pollution because it would disperse over a larger area, creating the illusion of reduced pollution levels. Additional concerns involved the disposal of radioactive waste and the impact of aerosol cans on the ozone layer, leading to intense scrutiny of these products within a few years.

Discontent with urban living and its associated challenges sparked a back-to-earth/New Age movement, particularly among hippies. Many hippies relocated from urban areas to countryside communities to engage in organic farming. Due to worries about conventional farming methods, including the risks posed by pesticides, growth regulators, and other synthetic chemicals, organic food became a trend...

(This entire section contains 621 words.)

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during this period. Organic farming emphasized "natural" biological practices, and what began as a fad soon evolved into a widely accepted farming method.

Style and Technique

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Setting and SymbolismSeascape, set against the backdrop of a beach, unfolds in a contemporary era reflective of its writing. Critics widely infer the east coast of the United States as the implied geographic location, although the text remains non-specific. This singular afternoon setting bespeaks a time of transition for the characters, reinforcing the play's thematic foundations. The beach itself, a confluence of land and sea, serves as a potent symbol of advancement and change. This motif is further exemplified by the anthropomorphic lizard characters, Leslie and Sarah, who embody the evolutionary journey from sea to land.

Fantasy and Genre

The genre classification of Seascape is subject to critical debate, with various interpretations including comedy, absurdist, satirical, or allegorical elements. Regardless of the precise categorization, the consensus acknowledges the play's fantastical dimension. This is vividly illustrated through Leslie and Sarah, the human-sized lizards who venture onto land, defying the ordinary boundaries of reality. Their flawless English and partial understanding of human culture accentuate the surreal nature of their existence. Charlie's skepticism about their reality heightens the tension, as he speculates wildly about hallucinations from food poisoning or death. Despite this, in the play's universe, Leslie and Sarah are as real as any human character, a fact Nancy quickly accepts and embraces. This interplay of fantasy enables the exploration of themes like progress, values, and otherness.

Symbolic Representations

In Seascape, Albee employs a tapestry of symbols to deepen the narrative's exploration of human relationships and societal evolution. The characterizations of Leslie and Sarah as anthropomorphic lizards symbolize not only the physical journey of evolution but also a metaphorical representation of an ideal relationship—a stark contrast to the dynamic between Nancy and Charlie. The beach setting serves as a compelling symbol of transitional progress, paralleling the evolutionary journey from aquatic to terrestrial life.

Progress and Evolution

The beach setting, where land meets sea, mirrors the transitional phase experienced by the characters, echoing evolutionary themes. This symbolism extends to the jets soaring above—a complex symbol of progress akin to mechanical seagulls. While Sarah finds these jets fascinating, they also provoke anxiety in Charlie, who fears the possibility of a catastrophic crash into the dunes. Yet, the jets persist, unyielding and unbroken, symbolizing unstoppable progress. The lizard characters, initially uneasy, learn to accept this evolution, underscoring the play's endorsement of change, despite the trepidation it may inspire in some characters.

Through these symbols and the fantastical framework, Seascape navigates the tensions between transformation and stability, illustrating that even feared or misunderstood changes can lead to personal growth and evolution. The intricate interweaving of setting, fantasy, and symbolism in Seascape crafts a rich narrative tapestry that invites audiences to reflect on the interplay between progress and human relationships.

Compare and Contrast

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1975: Despite it being the International Women's Year, numerous women in the workforce encounter discrimination, particularly regarding wages. On average, women earn about 25% to 33% less than men for performing equivalent work.

Today: Although the "glass ceiling" has been shattered and significantly more women are employed, they still typically receive only 80% to 90% of the salaries of their male peers.

1975: Organic foods are a new trend, popular among hippies concerned with environmental and ecological issues. Their availability is limited but gradually increasing.

Today: Organic farming is now a well-established practice, and organic products are readily available in many supermarkets.

1975: There is debate about the environmental impact of aerosol cans, particularly concerning the ozone layer. Regulations on their use are introduced within a few years.

Today: The ozone layer's hole has expanded significantly since the 1970s. While aerosol can usage is regulated, many scientists agree that their use contributed to the hole's expansion.

1975: The United States is still dealing with the aftermath of the OPEC crisis of 1973-1974. The crisis restricted the amount of oil that could be imported, leading to an energy shortage. There were calls for the exploration of alternative energy sources.

Today: The use of alternative energy sources in the United States remains limited, though the demand for their development continues. Oil consumption in the U.S. has not declined, and some have considered drilling in untouched, challenging underwater locations to discover more oil.

Bibliography and Further Reading

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Sources

Albee, Edward, Seascape A Play, Atheneum, 1975.

Barnes, Clive, "Albee's Seascape Is a Major Event," in New York Times, January 27, 1975.

Beaufort, John, "New Albee Comedy on Broadway," in Christian Science Monitor, January 30, 1975.

Clurman, Harold, Review in The Nation, March 15, 1975, p. 314.

Gottfried, Martin, "Edward Albee's Latest," in New York Post, January 27, 1975.

Kauffmann, Stanley, Review in The New Republic, February 22, 1975, pp. 22, 33.

Kissel, Howard, "Seascape," in Women's Wear Daily, January 27, 1975.

Koehler, Robert, "Albee's Seascape Runs Aground on Characterization," in Los Angeles Times, April 26, 1988.

Kroll, Jack, "Leapin' Lizards," in Newsweek, February 10, 1975.

Wilson, Edwin, "Disturbing Creatures from the Deep," in Wall Street Journal, January 28, 1975.

Winn, Steven, "A Lizard-Eye View of Humanity / Wonder and Whimsy in Albee's Seascape," in San Francisco Chronicle, October 19, 1996.