The Iceman Cometh (published in 1940) and Long Day’s Journey into Night (published in 1956 after O’Neill’s death) are widely recognized to be two of Eugene O’Neill’s best plays. Both belong to his late plays and apart from that bear a lot of similarities. The focus of this paper will be to analyze The Iceman Cometh and Long Day’s Journey into Night with special regard to the importance of illusion and reality for both the characters and the progress of the play. Furthermore a comparison will be made between Hickey in The Iceman Cometh and Mary Cavan Tyrone in Long Day’s Journey into Night in order to show that they have similar functions in their respective plays. Finally a conclusion will be given which will sum up the argumentation.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Illusion and Reality in Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh and Long Day’s Journey into Night
2.1. Plot summaries
2.1.1. The Iceman Cometh
2.1.2. Long Day’s Journey into Night
2.2. Illusion and Reality in The Iceman Cometh
2.3. Illusion and Reality in Long Day’s Journey into Night
2.4. Hickey in The Iceman Cometh and Mary Cavan Tyrone in Long Day’s Journey into Night – a comparison
3. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the central theme of illusion and reality in Eugene O'Neill's late plays, "The Iceman Cometh" and "Long Day's Journey into Night." It investigates how characters rely on illusions to cope with their existence and analyzes the parallel functions of the characters Hickey and Mary Cavan Tyrone as catalysts who confront others with the harshness of reality.
- The concept of "pipe dreams" as a mechanism for survival in O'Neill's work.
- A comparative analysis of characters' reactions to reality and truth.
- The role of confession and confrontation in disrupting the characters' illusionary worlds.
- The distinction between supportive and destructive illusions within a dysfunctional family unit.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2. Illusion and reality in The Iceman Cometh
In The Iceman Cometh all characters are subject to their respective pipe dream from the beginning of the play. These pipe dreams, however, are not connoted negatively in the beginning. Larry is a character different from the rest because he believes himself to be the “grandstand philosopher” (Iceman 163) and as such to see through everything that is going on. He introduces Don Parritt, a newcomer to Harry’s bar, to the concept of pipe dreams and what it means to the people at the “No Chance Saloon” (Iceman 19): “No one here has to worry about where they’re going next, because there is no farther they can go. It’s great comfort to them. Although even here they keep up the appearances of life with a few harmless pipe dreams about yesterday and tomorrows […]” (Ibid 19f.). Pipe dreams are described as being “harmless” (Ibid) and even being a help to the people around since they give them inner peace.
In the conversion between Larry and Don Parritt another typical feature of the pipe dreams in The Iceman Cometh is revealed: They are obvious to everyone, but not to the character that has them. When Don Parritt asks Larry about his pipe dream, Larry’s reaction is a defensive one: “Oh, I’m the exception. I haven’t any left, thank God” (Ibid 20). In the first act this fact is the basis for common laughter and it creates a unity among the drinking lads, because they need each other to confirm the validity of their dream: “ROCKY: Hell, yuh’d think I wuz a pimp or somethin’. Everybody knows me knows I ain’t. […] You know dat, Larry. LARRY: A shrewd business man, who doesn’t miss an opportunity to get on in the world. That’s what I’d call you” (Iceman 10f.).
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on illusion and reality in two of O'Neill's major plays and defines the methodology of close reading.
2. Illusion and Reality in Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh and Long Day’s Journey into Night: Provides detailed plot summaries and analyzes the specific mechanisms of illusion in both dramatic works.
2.1. Plot summaries: Offers condensed versions of both plays to establish common themes.
2.1.1. The Iceman Cometh: Summarizes the narrative of Hickey attempting to strip the bar patrons of their pipe dreams.
2.1.2. Long Day’s Journey into Night: Summarizes the autobiographical narrative of the Tyrone family's struggle with addiction and denial.
2.2. Illusion and Reality in The Iceman Cometh: Examines how the characters use pipe dreams for inner peace and how Hickey’s intervention disrupts this balance.
2.3. Illusion and Reality in Long Day’s Journey into Night: Explores the family members' rejection of the mother's addiction and their own avoidance of reality.
2.4. Hickey in The Iceman Cometh and Mary Cavan Tyrone in Long Day’s Journey into Night – a comparison: Compares the roles of Hickey and Mary as figures who force others to confront reality.
3. Conclusion: Summarizes findings and contrasts the relatively hopeful ending of "The Iceman Cometh" with the bleak conclusion of "Long Day’s Journey into Night."
Keywords
Eugene O'Neill, The Iceman Cometh, Long Day's Journey into Night, pipe dreams, illusion, reality, confession, tragedy, dysfunctional family, Hickey, Mary Cavan Tyrone, addiction, epiphany, self-deception, theater.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the thematic interplay between illusion and reality within Eugene O'Neill's late masterpieces, exploring how characters use illusions to cope with an unbearable existence.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The central themes include the nature of "pipe dreams," the impact of confrontation on truth, the destructive power of forced realism, and the psychological defense mechanisms of characters in both plays.
What is the core research goal?
The goal is to analyze how the characters navigate reality and to perform a comparison between Hickey and Mary Cavan Tyrone, evaluating their roles as agents who disrupt the illusions of others.
Which academic method is employed?
The author uses the method of "close reading" for both plays, supplemented by relevant secondary literature to support the interpretation of O'Neill’s concepts.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers plot summaries, an in-depth analysis of illusions in each respective play, and a specific comparative study of the character functions regarding their influence on the other characters.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Eugene O'Neill, pipe dreams, illusion, reality, tragedy, addiction, and character confrontation.
How do the endings of the two plays differ according to the author?
The author notes that while "The Iceman Cometh" offers a form of relief by allowing characters to return to their illusions, "Long Day's Journey into Night" concludes on a significantly more depressive, disillusioned note.
What role does Mary Cavan Tyrone play in comparison to Hickey?
While Hickey is described as acting out of a (misguided) sense of therapy, Mary uses the confrontation with reality as a tool for self-preservation and revenge against her family's neglect.
- Quote paper
- B.A. Dennis Alexander Goebels (Author), 2010, Illusion and Reality in Eugene O'Neill's "The Iceman Cometh" and "Long Day's Journey into Night", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/150538
