Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Power Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.

Quote #1

Martha (still softly): I said, make me a drink.
George (Moving to the portable bar) Well, I don't suppose a nightcap'd kill either on of us…(1.54-1.55)

This the first of the many drinks George makes for Martha. No matter how bad they're fighting he seems to always be willing to booze her up. Does this show that Martha has power over him? Perhaps, though, by making the drinks he is preying on her alcoholism, which then gives him power over her.

Quote #2

Martha: George […] is and old bog in the History Department. (1.448)

George's failure to advance in his career is the main weapon Martha wields in their battle for power.

Quote #3

Martha: I got into a pair of gloves myself. […] I let go sort of a roundhouse right […] CRASH, [George] landed…flat…in a huckleberry bush! (1.502-1.504)

Martha takes delight in telling this story, probably because it emasculates George. The fact that George got beat up by his wife definitely caused George to lose some power.