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

• Introduction
• Chapter I: Relations between Husbands and Wives
  • 1. Desire Under the Elms
  • 2. Long Day's Journey into Night
• Chapter II: Relations between Children and Parents
  • 1. Desire Under the Elms
  • 2. Long Day's Journey into Night
• Conclusions

Objectives and Key Themes

This dissertation analyzes the relationships between characters in Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms and Long Day's Journey into Night to understand how these relationships reveal the characters' personalities. The study examines the development of O'Neill's writing style and thematic concerns across these two plays, considering influences from his personal life and literary predecessors.

• Inter-family relationships and their impact on character development
• The evolution of O'Neill's dramatic style and thematic focus
• The influence of O'Neill's biography on his plays
• The portrayal of power dynamics within families
• Contrasting portrayals of love and hate in familial relationships

Chapter Summaries

Chapter I: Relations between Husbands and Wives: This chapter explores the marital relationships in both Desire Under the Elms and Long Day's Journey into Night. In Desire Under the Elms, the analysis focuses on the complex and ultimately destructive dynamic between Ephraim Cabot and his young wife, Abbie, highlighting their conflicting desires for land and power. The chapter examines how their relationship is built upon deception and manipulation, leading to tragic consequences. In Long Day's Journey into Night, the chapter delves into the deeply troubled marriage of James and Mary Tyrone, analyzing the impact of Mary's morphine addiction and James's failures on their relationship. The contrasting marital dynamics reveal the author's evolving perspectives on love, loss, and the destructive nature of unresolved conflict within a marriage.

Chapter II: Relations between Children and Parents: This chapter analyzes the parent-child relationships in both plays, focusing on the generational conflicts and emotional struggles. In Desire Under the Elms, the chapter examines the strained relationships between Ephraim and his sons, Eben and Simeon, emphasizing the competition for land and the psychological impact of Ephraim's patriarchal authority. The chapter further analyzes Abbie's role in exacerbating these conflicts. In Long Day's Journey into Night, the chapter focuses on the troubled relationships between James and Mary Tyrone and their sons, Jamie and Edmund. It investigates the impact of the parents' flaws and the family's dysfunctional dynamics on the children's lives and their own struggles with addiction and disillusionment. This comparison reveals the impact of parental failures on the next generation and underscores the cyclical nature of familial dysfunction.

Keywords

Eugene O'Neill, Desire Under the Elms, Long Day's Journey into Night, family relationships, marital conflict, parent-child relationships, character analysis, dramatic style, biographical influences, American drama, power dynamics, love, hate, generational conflict.

Eugene O'Neill's Plays: A Comparative Analysis - FAQ

What is the main focus of this academic preview?

This preview summarizes a dissertation analyzing the relationships between characters in Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms and Long Day's Journey into Night. It explores how these relationships reveal character personalities and examines the development of O'Neill's writing style and thematic concerns across these two plays, considering influences from his personal life and literary predecessors.

What are the key themes explored in the dissertation?

The key themes include inter-family relationships and their impact on character development; the evolution of O'Neill's dramatic style and thematic focus; the influence of O'Neill's biography on his plays; the portrayal of power dynamics within families; and contrasting portrayals of love and hate in familial relationships.

What are the main chapters of the dissertation?

The dissertation is structured into three main sections: an introduction, two main chapters, and a conclusion. Chapter I focuses on the relations between husbands and wives in both plays, comparing and contrasting the marital dynamics in Desire Under the Elms and Long Day's Journey into Night. Chapter II analyzes the relations between children and parents in both plays, exploring generational conflicts and emotional struggles within the families.

How are the relationships in Desire Under the Elms analyzed?

In Desire Under the Elms, the analysis focuses on the destructive dynamic between Ephraim Cabot and his young wife, Abbie, highlighting their conflicting desires for land and power and the deception and manipulation that characterize their relationship. The relationships between Ephraim and his sons, Eben and Simeon, are also examined, emphasizing the competition for land and the impact of Ephraim's patriarchal authority.

How are the relationships in Long Day's Journey into Night analyzed?

In Long Day's Journey into Night, the analysis delves into the troubled marriage of James and Mary Tyrone, analyzing the impact of Mary's morphine addiction and James's failures on their relationship. The relationships between the parents and their sons, Jamie and Edmund, are also investigated, focusing on the impact of parental flaws and dysfunctional family dynamics on the children's lives.

What is the overall approach of the dissertation?

The dissertation uses a comparative approach, analyzing the two plays side-by-side to highlight similarities and differences in O'Neill's portrayal of family relationships, dramatic style, and thematic concerns. It aims to understand how O'Neill's personal life and literary influences shaped his work.

What are the keywords associated with this dissertation?

The keywords include Eugene O'Neill, Desire Under the Elms, Long Day's Journey into Night, family relationships, marital conflict, parent-child relationships, character analysis, dramatic style, biographical influences, American drama, power dynamics, love, hate, and generational conflict.