The Allergists Wife Analysis

Unlike the previous plays witnessed, The Allergists Wife is a play that deliberately tries to alienate the audience throughout the play. It almost would seem as if the play is trying to reference a greater topic or idea, something the audience is not inherently aware of. The play as a whole invokes an estranged feeling, that there is always something missing from the play that would give the audience clarity on what is currently occurring. This contrasts with the mainstream aspects of the play, such as the allusions to modern society or the mentions of modern inventions and occurrences that are grounded in the reality of today’s society. Despite these apparent contrasts, the audience in due course comprehends what was revealed, to be parted

It is apparent that it occurs in the year 2000, specifically sometime in October. Even if the setting or the time was not explicitly stated, it could have been inferred through the prominent usage of technology, as a laptop is used but landlines are still the major forms of communication for long distances. The location of the play is a well furnished apartment in Manhattan, New York in the United States if the audience guide was to be referred to. On that note, the play itself states that the apartment building is near Zabars, a famous local in the area, and that the Allergist, or Ira visits New York University to teach, further eluding the location of the play. Knowledge of the setting allows the audience to visualize possible locals near the area, and the specific culture that the allergist’s wife, or Marjorie was exposed to. No specific reference to major events such as Y2K is mentioned, indicating that the paranoia and panic regarding it subsided quickly or over time and other issues were focused upon instead by the main characters. The area indicates being in Upper West side of Manhattan, an area particularly wealthy or affluent, which is prevalent in the way the characters act or behave, and can rationalize their lifestyles. In any account, there is a conflict of the new, contemporary themes with the aged conservative themes, which becomes apparent when the characters are analyzed and

In Marjorie, Ira, and Frieda, it is obvious that they speak in the cliché Jewish voice and mannerisms, as indicated by their dialogue. There are moments which revolve around speaking in Yiddish or the Hebrew language and although it is usually funny to listen to, it is not inherently known whether the dialogue is true or made-up. In any account the way these particular characters speak isolates them from the audience, as it seems that they are talking in mannerism unconventional to the audience, despite everyone in the play speaking in English. Mohammad himself speaks in a strong accent, yet his fluent English does not come off as natural or what society would consider average. Lee is the outlier in the play as she is only one that lacks a notable foreign accent, despite it being known that she comes from France. However, her voice comes off as condescending if not patronizing at times, as she often boasts in regards to her various accolades and achievements to others that are evidently prestigious yet are always downplayed by her. This signifies that she has cast it aside, or had never identified with the background she grew up in, and has since then grown away from it as she went on to live life as she deemed fit while the other cast had not. Compared to the others, Lee is contrasts in accordance to her diction which is likely to