Relations Between the Characters as their Construction Basis in Eugene O’Neill’s "Desire Under the Elms" and "Long Day’s Journey into Night"

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

2. Chapter I: Relations between Husbands and Wives

2.1 Desire Under the Elms

2.2 Long Day’s Journey into Night

3. Chapter II: Relations between Children and Parents

3.1 Desire Under the Elms

3.2 Long Day’s Journey into Night

4. CONCLUSIONS

5. Works Cited

Objectives and Themes

This dissertation examines the construction of characters in Eugene O’Neill’s plays Desire Under the Elms and Long Day’s Journey into Night through the lens of their familial relationships. By analyzing the dynamics between spouses and between parents and children, the research demonstrates that character psychology, motivations, and true features are only fully revealed when characters are positioned within these complex, often turbulent, interpersonal contexts.

• Psychological construction of characters through interpersonal conflict.
• The influence of autobiographical elements and external literary/philosophical forces on O’Neill’s dramatic development.
• Comparative analysis of marital relationships and their impact on individual behavior.
• The role of parent-child dynamics and the weight of familial history on character identity.
• The transition from naturalistic dramatic structures to deeply psychological, modern tragic forms.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Chapter I: Relations between Husbands and Wives: This chapter analyzes how marital conflicts in both plays reveal the underlying psychological profiles and true temperaments of the spouses as they struggle with desire, possessiveness, and past grievances.

Chapter II: Relations between Children and Parents: This chapter focuses on the younger generation, exploring how parental history, father-son antagonism, and the search for maternal love shape the identities and life choices of the sons in both plays.

Keywords

Eugene O’Neill, Desire Under the Elms, Long Day’s Journey into Night, Family Relations, Marriage, Parent-Child Dynamics, Naturalism, Psychological Drama, Autobiography, Strindberg, Nietzsche, Character Construction, Identity, Possessiveness, Conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this dissertation?

The work focuses on how characters in Eugene O’Neill’s plays are constructed through their interpersonal relationships, specifically within marital and parent-child bonds.

What are the central thematic fields explored?

The research explores themes of family conflict, the desire for material possession (the farm), the struggle between conscious intellect and unconscious desires, and the impact of the past on the present.

What is the primary goal of the research?

The goal is to prove that characters in O'Neill's dramas can only be fully understood when analyzed in the context of their relationships with family members, as these interactions force them to reveal their true motivations.

Which scientific method is employed?

The author uses a comparative literary analysis, examining both plays through the influence of the author’s biography, Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy, and August Strindberg’s naturalistic dramatic techniques.

What is covered in the main body of the work?

The main body is divided into two chapters: one dedicated to marriage dynamics (Ephraim/Abbie, James/Mary) and one dedicated to parent-child dynamics (Ephraim/sons, James/Mary/sons), comparing the naturalistic approach of the earlier play to the more mature, psychological approach of the later play.

Which keywords best characterize this work?

The work is defined by terms such as O’Neill, family relations, character construction, psychological drama, and the comparative analysis of his earlier naturalistic period versus his later mature psychological works.

How does the author characterize Ephraim Cabot’s relationship with his farm?

Ephraim is described as being "one with the farm." His identity is fused with the stone walls and the hard labor of the land, which he views as a divine mission, leading to his self-imposed loneliness and alienation from his family.

What distinguishes the family dynamics in 'Long Day's Journey into Night' from 'Desire Under the Elms'?

While the Cabots in Desire are driven largely by naturalistic urges and material possession, the Tyrones in Long Day’s Journey are haunted by deep-seated psychological disillusionment, mutual dependency, and the weight of their past failures.