The two plays Long Day’s Journey into Night by Eugene O’Neill and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams can be seen as two of the most successful and respected plays of American Modernism.
Besides other similarities, both plays deal, more or less obviously with the consumption of alcohol and - in case of Mary Tyrone in Long Day’s Journey into Night - drugs.
This paper’s matter is to find out what function drinking or the consumption of other drugs have for the characters of the two plays. This question could also be interesting looking at the authors: O’Neill’s play has very many parallels to his own life and also Williams admitted that he is to be found in the character of Blanche DuBois to a certain extend.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Importance of Drugs for the Individual Family Members in O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night
- Tyrone
- Jamie
- Edmund
- Mary
- Cathleen
- The Function of Alcohol for the Two Main Protagonists in Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire
- Stanley Kowalski
- Blanche DuBois
- Comparison of the Function of Drugs in both Plays: Similarities and Differences
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the function of drug and alcohol consumption in Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night and Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire. It explores how these substances impact individual characters and contribute to the overall narrative. The analysis draws upon existing scholarship on addiction and family dynamics.
- The role of addiction as a coping mechanism
- The impact of substance abuse on family relationships
- The social and psychological functions of alcohol and drugs
- Comparison of substance abuse in O'Neill and Williams' plays
- The autobiographical elements in O'Neill's work
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context for the analysis by highlighting the significance of Long Day's Journey into Night and A Streetcar Named Desire within American Modernist drama. It introduces the central research question concerning the function of drug and alcohol use within the plays, emphasizing the autobiographical aspects of O'Neill's work and the author's connection to his characters. The chapter also outlines the methodology, including the key sources used for the psychological analysis of addiction and the specific characters analyzed from each play.
The Importance of Drugs for the Individual Family Members in O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night: This chapter delves into the multifaceted roles of drug and alcohol abuse within the Tyrone family. It establishes the pervasive nature of addiction within the family, noting the denial and recurring patterns of communication that hinder genuine dialogue and resolution. Each family member's relationship with substance abuse is examined, showing the various functions of addiction from social lubrication to escapism and self-medication. The chapter analyzes the impact of substance abuse on the family's interactions and emotional well-being.
The Function of Alcohol for the Two Main Protagonists in Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire: This chapter focuses on the characters of Stanley Kowalski and Blanche DuBois, examining their respective relationships with alcohol. It explores how alcohol consumption impacts their behavior, relationships, and overall portrayal in the play, drawing on secondary sources and analyzing the function of alcohol within the context of the narrative. The differences in their motivations for drinking and the effects of alcohol on their actions are central to the analysis.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, Family Dynamics, American Modernism, Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams, Long Day's Journey into Night, A Streetcar Named Desire, Coping Mechanisms, Social Function of Drugs, Psychological Impact, Autobiographical Elements.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Drug and Alcohol Use in O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night" and Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire"
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the role and function of drug and alcohol consumption in Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night and Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire. It examines how these substances affect individual characters and contribute to the overall narrative, drawing on existing research on addiction and family dynamics.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the use of addiction as a coping mechanism, the impact of substance abuse on family relationships, the social and psychological functions of alcohol and drugs, a comparison of substance abuse in both plays, and the autobiographical elements present in O'Neill's work.
Which plays are analyzed in detail?
The paper focuses on Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night and Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire. It examines the specific characters and their relationships with substance abuse within the context of each play.
How are the characters in O'Neill's play analyzed?
The paper analyzes the role of drug and alcohol abuse within the Tyrone family in Long Day's Journey into Night, examining each family member (Tyrone, Jamie, Edmund, Mary) and their individual relationships with addiction. It explores how addiction impacts their interactions and emotional well-being, focusing on the pervasive nature of addiction and the dysfunctional communication patterns within the family.
How are the characters in Williams' play analyzed?
The analysis of A Streetcar Named Desire centers on Stanley Kowalski and Blanche DuBois, exploring how alcohol consumption affects their behavior, relationships, and portrayal in the play. The paper compares and contrasts their motivations for drinking and the effects of alcohol on their actions.
What is the purpose of comparing the two plays?
Comparing the function of substance abuse in O'Neill and Williams' plays allows for a broader understanding of the social and psychological aspects of addiction within the context of American Modernist drama. The comparison highlights similarities and differences in the portrayal of addiction and its impact on characters and narrative.
What methodology is used in this analysis?
The analysis draws upon existing scholarship on addiction and family dynamics. The paper uses secondary sources to support its claims and analyzes the text of each play to understand the characters' relationships with alcohol and other drugs. The introduction outlines the specific sources used for the psychological analysis.
What are the key takeaways or conclusions of the paper?
The conclusion summarizes the findings of the analysis, highlighting the significant role of substance abuse in shaping the narratives and characters of both plays. It likely synthesizes the comparisons and contrasts drawn throughout the paper, providing a final interpretation of the function of drugs and alcohol in these two significant works of American Modernist drama.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, Family Dynamics, American Modernism, Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams, Long Day's Journey into Night, A Streetcar Named Desire, Coping Mechanisms, Social Function of Drugs, Psychological Impact, Autobiographical Elements.
- Quote paper
- Nadine Esser (Author), 2007, The function of drugs in Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night" and Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/82471
