Fefu and Her Friends

There are several ways that Fefu and her Friends addresses or mentions mental illness. What do you think the play says about the nature of mental illness?

Consider Part 2, in which the audience is divided up and four different scenes occur simultaneously. What do you think is the effect of this on the audience? Why do you think the playwright chose to structure this section of the play like this?

Fefu and her Friends was first performed in 1977. How well do you think the play would be received today? What is particularly relevant? What is dated or has aged badly?

How would you interpret and explain Julia’s injury and disability? How might it have metaphorical meaning?

Fefu and her Friends is generally considered to have absurdist elements. What is absurdism? What is absurd in the play? What isn’t absurd? And how does the play exploit the tension between absurdist and realist elements for dramatic effect?

Some of the characters in the play are explored in more detail than others. Choose one of the less-defined characters. What function do you think they serve in the play? How do you think they fit with the others?

Consider the performance that the women prepare. What do you think is its purpose? What are they raising money for or benefiting?

How does the play discuss and comment on gender roles? Name one specific instance that makes a statement. What does it say?