It’s possible to argue that the play format of Wit is of critical importance. The form spotlights the singular character of Vivian Bearing in a way that a novel or a short story might not. The play form is the best way for Vivian to define herself through her own words since she doesn’t have to compete with a narrator or any kind of novelistic device. In a sense, Vivian has the spotlight all to herself. As her opening monologue shows, Vivian is more than capable of commanding an audience on her own.

Of course, the Vivian character doesn’t literally have the stage to herself. There are other characters, including a belittled nurse and a student. Here, the play format is important because it illustrates the differences between Vivian and the other characters, as her sharp, grandiose lines are juxtaposed with the meeker lines of those who surround her in the hospital.

Then again, it’s possible to argue that the play format is not so important to Wit. It’s reasonable to contented that Vivian’s acerbic and rather pedantic character could have been created within the format of a novel or short story. In fact, one could claim that Margaret Edson uses novelistic formats within the play. Vivian’s frequent monologues could be seen as forays into first-person narration or stream of consciousness.