Abstract

A series of masks both defines and obscures identity for the title character in Benmussa's play, which is adapted from George Moore's short story. Layers of identity are created by an omniscient narrator who speaks for Albert Nobbs and interprets her desires as she acts out a male role on stage. The fictional Albert parallels the narrator's multi-layered approach as she cloaks her body in men's clothing, only to stifle her inner longings. This articleanalyzes gender identity, self-definition, and societal stereotypes by comparing Moore's story and Benmussa's stage adaptation.

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