ECO-CRITICISM, AND ADMINISTRATIVE DISCOURSE ON TOBACCO RISKS AND CANCER: A CASE STUDY OF EDWARD ALBEE’S WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?

Abstract

This paper examines eco-criticism and administrative discourse in Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, focusing on tobacco as both a cultural symbol and ecological toxin. Integrating governance studies, the law of nature, and literary analysis, the study situates Albee’s depiction of tobacco within broader questions of public health and local administration. Tobacco functions not merely as a dramatic prop but as a carcinogenic agent whose cultural normalization reflects administrative and regulatory challenges in managing harmful substances.

Through close reading, the paper traces correlations between smoking, aggression, and relational dynamics within the play, demonstrating how everyday toxins infiltrate private and social domains. These literary insights are contextualized within frameworks of governance, law, and municipal responsibility, highlighting the role of local authorities in addressing carcinogenic commodities and protecting ecological and public health.

The study further explores the intersections of toxic discourse, eco-dramaturgy, and administrative oversight, showing how literary narratives can inform understanding of social, environmental, and health governance. By emphasizing the regulatory, cultural, and ecological dimensions of tobacco consumption, the paper underscores the importance of integrating literary analysis with administrative and governance perspectives.

Overall, this research illustrates how eco-criticism and administrative discourse can illuminate the cultural, environmental, and regulatory dimensions of public health hazards, offering a framew