Edward Albee's Winter Term

The Winter Session at Devon is very tense. The disputes between the boys are good examples of the tense atmosphere at Devon. One dispute between Quackenbush and Gene at the Crew House shows how the tense atmosphere affects their relationship. The disputes start out with Quackenbush reprimanding Gene for being late for crew practice and then brakes into a full out fight started by personal attacks. This makes the term tense because it shows disputes between the boys. Another tense moment is between Gene and Brinker in the Butt Room. The dispute starts with Brinker questioning Gene on Phinny’s fall and the then continues with Brinker saying “Here’s your prisoner, gentlemen … practically fratricide” The choice of words made by Brinker shows how the atmosphere at Devon is tense. The word “prisoner” is reserved for people who are guilty of horrible things. Using the word on Gene shows that Gene did push Phinny, and creates a tense atmosphere with that thought in the boys’ heads. The word “fratricide” means brother killer, which clearly states that Gene intentionally pushed phinny. This again puts bad thought into the heads of the boys. The tense events and thoughts of the Winter Session make the Winter Session Tense.