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Influences in the play include social, occupational and family expectations. Both father-in-laws" hold some control in both marriages, making the husbands feel inadequate causing them to lash out onto their wives. In Nick's case it was his family and his morale that drove him to marry Honey, it wasn't love- it was simply family and social expectation.
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Characterisation is used to add spice to the story and to help the reader's get a good look at each character's personality and behaviour. The mix-match of personalities in the play has resulted in conflict. Martha and George's personality difference result in many arguments throughout the play and in conclusion, contribute to their lack of happiness in their love-hate marriage.
The dialogue in the play was very effective in expressing relationship conflict. The dialogue was precise, short and to the point and witty. The dialogue clearly expressed the bleak mood and atmosphere.
The atmosphere in the play, can be simplified as depressing. Martha and George play their destructive games such as "Get the Guests" and "Humiliate the Host" they shun reality and at the same time destroy each other's self esteem. Honey and Nick still walk out of the house "hand in hand". Thus no real lessons have been learned about their relationship and no real solutions have evolved from the night's black events. Both couples continue to go on with their lives, consummated by relationship conflict.
Symbolism played a big part in the play. The song "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" symbolised the question "who's afraid to live without illusions". The song is consistently tied to moments in which the characters are projecting, or attempting to project, a false image such as the moment where George uses the song to stop Martha from revealing the truth about himself. There is even symbolism in George and Martha's name, symbolic in the sense that Albee chose those names to symbolise conventional America, the first president his and his wife, shattering the dream society has of marriage.
