The main themes of the analysis: legal and illegal drugs, social tensions between the family members, autobiographical elements.
Table of Contents
- Drug Situation at the Beginning of the Century
- The Tyrones' Family Problems
- The Denial of Their Problems
- The Title
- Autobiographical Elements
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze Eugene O'Neill's play A Long Day's Journey Into Night, focusing on the various themes present in the work, particularly drug abuse, family tensions, and the autobiographical elements within the narrative. It will explore how these themes intertwine to illustrate the characters' struggles and their inability to cope with their own problems.
- Drug addiction and its consequences
- Family dynamics and interpersonal relationships
- The impact of denial and self-deception
- The interplay of reality and symbolism in the play
- The autobiographical elements of the play
Chapter Summaries
The first section delves into the drug situation at the beginning of the 20th century, specifically focusing on morphine addiction and its prevalence during that time period. This provides context for Mary Tyrone's addiction in the play.
The second section examines the complex family dynamics within the Tyrones, exploring the various tensions and arguments that arise from their individual struggles. This section highlights the role of drug abuse, miserliness, and other personal issues in driving a wedge between the family members.
The third section focuses on the Tyrones' denial of their problems as a central reason for their inability to cope with their lives. The paper analyzes how their reluctance to acknowledge their faults and address their issues leads to further distress and conflict within the family.
The fourth section explores the symbolic meanings embedded in the title A Long Day's Journey Into Night, interpreting the journey as a metaphor for the family's struggles and their descent into darkness. The section also discusses the use of the word "night" as a symbol for death and the family's ultimate fate.
Keywords
The primary focus of this paper is on the themes of drug abuse, specifically morphine addiction, family tensions, denial and self-deception, and the autobiographical elements of Eugene O'Neill's A Long Day's Journey Into Night. It explores how these themes intertwine to depict the characters' struggles and their inability to cope with their own issues.
- Quote paper
- Martin Payrhuber (Author), 2001, About Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey Into Night", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/190670
