1. Brief SummaryBrief Summary
The setting of the play in the beginning is a bright day. the play starts as mommyThe 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 young man isand 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 enters the stagesymbolically represented as the angel of death. Meanwhile, the musician enters the stage
and starts to play the music.and starts to play the music.
Both mommy and daddy exit to bring in the grandmother. After bringing her in, theyBoth 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! Mommyput 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 grandmother startsand 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 she was married insaying 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 death. shethe 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 cowremembers the yearning of the past her farmer life and how she raised the big cow
lonesome.lonesome.
she also speaks with great compassion to the young man who himself is the angelshe 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 grandmaof 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 play) gotalso 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 own dish.married to move into the town where she was provided with an army blanket and own dish.
Suddenly, an offstage rumble is heard. mommy and daddy are frightened butSuddenly, 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 biggrandma 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 uprumble, 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 death. AtThe 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.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 lastGrandma 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 curtainscene 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.

2. In Edward Albee's play the "Sandbox" two of the major characters were veryIn 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 mixesintriguing. 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 imposingordinary 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 naturalwoman. 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 neverborn leader of 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 thedisagrees with Mommy. He does whatever she desires. She is the one who made the
decision to put Grandma in the "sandbox" the remaining hours of her life. Mommydecision to put Grandma in the "sandbox" the remaining hours of her life. Mommy
made this decision to remove some of the stress out of her own life.made this decision to remove some of 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 ofshe 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 ifher mother was at hand. He exhibited this characteristic by asking Mommy if
Grandma was comfortable in the sandbox.Grandma was comfortable in the sandbox.
Mommy and Daddy's marriage was one of tolerating each other instead ofMommy 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 putbeing 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 playGrandma in the "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 ofwe see a spark of 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.grief. It was as if she wanted the whole world to stop in her own troubled times.
Mommy and Daddy's marriage was one of tolerating each other instead ofMommy and Daddy's marriage was one of tolerating each other instead of
being based upon mutual affection. He exhibited this characteristic by asking Mommybeing based upon mutual affection. He exhibited this characteristic by asking Mommy
if Grandma was comfortable in the sandbox. Albee puts a light hearted twist onif Grandma 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 ofcommon day occurrences in his play. Mommy made this decision to remove some of
the stress out of her own life.the stress out of her own life.
In Edward Albee's play the "Sandbox" two of the major characters were veryIn 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

3. 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 barea 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 isstage 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 placedstretching. Next Grandma enters, babbling like a small baby. She is placed
in the sandbox by Mommy and she begins to speak incoherently. Ain the sandbox by Mommy and she begins to speak incoherently. A
musician is called onstage to play a clarinet. In between these scenes,musician is called onstage to play a clarinet. In between these scenes,
Mommy and Daddy discuss. They begin to really ignore her and in betweenMommy and Daddy discuss. They begin to really ignore her and in between
she converses with the young man doing calisthenics in the corner. Heshe converses with the young man doing calisthenics in the corner. He
eventually takes her away to death. The music, symbolizing her life, ends.eventually takes her away to death. The music, symbolizing her life, ends.
The sandbox never again opened, and they never saw her again.The sandbox never again opened, and they never saw her again.
Grandma’s babbling and incapacitated state is meant to show the innocentGrandma’s babbling and incapacitated state is meant to show the innocent
incapable state of the newborn and the elderly alike. He symbolizes death,incapable state of the newborn and the elderly alike. He symbolizes death,
as is proven by his words in his conversations with the old woman. Mommyas 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 want to deal withand 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 grantedtheir elderly parents or young children. They had taken for granted
everything she meant to them. They had spent their time and money oneverything she meant to them. They had spent their time and money on
themselves, denying her everything she needed and wanted. The musicianthemselves, denying her everything she needed and wanted. The musician
plays a song throughout; a song that Mommy and Daddy often hush. Theplays 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 itsThe large sandbox in the middle is meant to symbolize a coffin and its
permanent nature of keeping someone inside. In the end, when the youngpermanent nature of keeping someone inside. In the end, when the young
man takes Grandma away from Mommy and Daddy, there is unspokenman takes Grandma away from Mommy and Daddy, there is unspoken
death.death.

4. In his play, “The Sandbox,” Edward Albee expresses his feelings of disappointmentIn his play, “The Sandbox,” Edward Albee expresses his feelings of disappointment
regarding the way our society treats the elderly. Albee cleverly conveys his ideas andregarding 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 seemsopinions in the 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 beinghumorous and almost silly if you picture the literal meaning of the grandmother being
thrown into the sandbox with a toy shovel, a young man doing calisthenics, and thethrown into the sandbox with a toy shovel, a young man doing calisthenics, and the
emotionless bickering between Mommy and Daddy. However, after looking closer at theemotionless bickering between Mommy and Daddy. However, after looking closer at the
play, one finds deeper and more depressing meaning in this bizarre drama. Albee portraysplay, 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 withMommy 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 toGrandmother. 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 ofdirect 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 theMommy and Daddy 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 andbeginning of the play, we get a taste of the unusual relationship between Mommy and
Daddy. Immediately, one may think that the names “Mommy” and “Daddy” suggest thatDaddy. Immediately, one may think that the names “Mommy” and “Daddy” suggest that
they have kids of their own. However, after reading the play my feeling was that Mommythey 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.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 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…Mommy 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 isshe looks… so happy” , and tends to boss Daddy around by reminding him that it is
“Whatever I (she) say”“Whatever I (she) say”
It is clear, in the beginning of the play that Mommy and especially Daddy want to getIt 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. Whenthe 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 andthe supposed 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 byGrandma laughs, mocking 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 heGrandma’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 Grandma this time withoutresponds “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. Perhaps, we, as aa 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 more ofsociety, 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 softlyour 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 hisremarks, “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,allegory approach. relationship as they lacked the compassion typical of a parent and,
therefore, likely did not have kids.therefore, likely did not have kids.

5. Through his one-act play The Sandbox, Edward Albee has extended the allegory;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 themselveshis 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 theiras such. 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 topresence on stage as well as the stereotypical rules and emotions they are meant to
display. Specifically through Mommy and Daddy's vacuous and immediate shifts todisplay. Specifically through Mommy and Daddy's vacuous and immediate shifts to
"appropriate" attitudes, Edward Albee issues his value statement. In effect, Shakespeare's"appropriate" attitudes, Edward Albee issues his value statement. In effect, Shakespeare's
assessment that "All the world's a stage,/And all men and women merely players" hasassessment that "All the world's a stage,/And all men and women merely players" has
been reanalyzed and extended by Albee, culminating in a work which declares thebeen reanalyzed and extended by Albee, culminating in a work which declares the
conventional conception of death as affected and contrived.conventional conception of death as affected and contrived.
Almost deceiving in its straightforwardness is the opening note on Mommy andAlmost 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 asDaddy 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 theto what is to 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. Atimplication of an end-of-life ritual whose spiritual meaning has long since passed away. At
one point, Daddy asks Mommy if they should conduct a conversation. Mommy responds,one point, Daddy asks Mommy if 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"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 establishes early on that his andanything new." Daddy's rejoinder in the negative establishes early on that his and
Mommy's existences, and therefore actions, are hackneyed, artificial, mundane, andMommy's existences, and therefore actions, are hackneyed, artificial, mundane, and
devoid of any true, personal meaning.devoid of any true, personal meaning.
By the air of preparation which pervades the play, and by Grandma's death in theBy 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 customend, 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 thesurrounding 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'sactors are aware of their presence of stage breaks ground for Albee's take on society's
engagement in role-playing. Requesting appropriate background music, and makingengagement in role-playing. Requesting appropriate background music, and making
remarks on lighting, Albee's characters cannot escape discredit regarding the genuine.remarks on lighting, Albee's characters cannot escape discredit regarding the genuine.
Similarly, Albee greets the close advance of death with the suitable stereotypes of suddenSimilarly, Albee greets the close advance of death with the suitable stereotypes of sudden
darkness, violin playing, "a violent off-stage rumble," and Mommy's brief tears.darkness, violin playing, "a violent off-stage rumble," and Mommy's brief tears.
RHETORICS

6. Inevitably, the sincerity of Mommy and Daddy has been cast in doubt and allInevitably, the sincerity of Mommy and Daddy has been cast in doubt and all
subsequent words and actions bear resemblance to conventions. In a remarkablesubsequent words and actions bear resemblance to conventions. In a remarkable
shift of attitude, Mommy declares to Daddy: "Our long night is over. We must putshift of 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 casuallyaway our 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, andobserving how "It's hard to be sad... she looks... so happy." Mommy's hesitation, and
Albee's exclusion of a stage note recommending a serenely content-in-deathAlbee's exclusion of a stage note recommending a serenely content-in-death
Grandma, indicate the affected nature of Mommy's statement, and inherently, that ofGrandma, indicate the affected nature of Mommy's statement, and inherently, that of
The Sand Box, as a whole.The Sand Box, as a whole.
Pointing out the dysfunctional family, Edward Albee begins his non-directPointing out the dysfunctional family, Edward Albee begins his non-direct
approach to the subject of death and burial. The characters Mommy and Daddy areapproach 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 ahusband and wife they paint a picture of a typical bossy older woman and a
submissive husband. After the Mommy and Daddy place the grandma in the sandboxsubmissive husband. After the 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 andthey 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 getting old, death and burial. The youngdifficult to care for. All are connected with getting old, death and burial. The young
man lets grandma know her time has come to die. Albee’s silly way of presenting thisman 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 props in the play. Thisplay, 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 family and workedsymbolizes 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 we areon 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.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 treatedThe 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. Herher 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 longchildren had 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 withwithout her husband, but 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 treatsher daughter and her husband. The mother does not like the way the daughter treats
the husband either.the husband either.
The Sandbox is a very simple play with a complex meaning behind it. It relatesThe Sandbox is a very simple play with a complex meaning behind it. It relates
to the modern American family.to the modern American family.

7. Inevitably, the sincerity of Mommy and Daddy has been cast in doubt and allInevitably, the sincerity of Mommy and Daddy has been cast in doubt and all
subsequent words and actions bear resemblance to conventions. In a remarkablesubsequent words and actions bear resemblance to conventions. In a remarkable
shift of attitude, Mommy declares to Daddy: "Our long night is over. We must putshift of 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 casuallyaway our 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, andobserving how "It's hard to be sad... she looks... so happy." Mommy's hesitation, and
Albee's exclusion of a stage note recommending a serenely content-in-deathAlbee's exclusion of a stage note recommending a serenely content-in-death
Grandma, indicate the affected nature of Mommy's statement, and inherently, that ofGrandma, indicate the affected nature of Mommy's statement, and inherently, that of
The Sand Box, as a whole.The Sand Box, as a whole.
Pointing out the dysfunctional family, Edward Albee begins his non-directPointing out the dysfunctional family, Edward Albee begins his non-direct
approach to the subject of death and burial. The characters Mommy and Daddy areapproach 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 ahusband and wife they paint a picture of a typical bossy older woman and a
submissive husband. After the Mommy and Daddy place the grandma in the sandboxsubmissive husband. After the 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 andthey 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 getting old, death and burial. The youngdifficult to care for. All are connected with getting old, death and burial. The young
man lets grandma know her time has come to die. Albee’s silly way of presenting thisman 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 props in the play. Thisplay, 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 family and workedsymbolizes 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 we areon 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.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 treatedThe 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. Herher 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 longchildren had 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 withwithout her husband, but 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 treatsher daughter and her husband. The mother does not like the way the daughter treats
the husband either.the husband either.
The Sandbox is a very simple play with a complex meaning behind it. It relatesThe Sandbox is a very simple play with a complex meaning behind it. It relates
to the modern American family.to the modern American family.