Desire Under the Elms: The Existential Tragedy of Human Passion and Power
Author : Geeta Gupta
Abstract :
Desire Under the Elms is a deeply personal work for Eugene O'Neill, through which he sought to free himself from the burdens of his past. His plays often revolve around his own experiences and struggles, using drama to express and confront pain. For O'Neill, theatre had to address significant social and existential issues; he aimed to explore the roots of human suffering and provide some justification for it. As noted by critic Doris V. Falk, his work suggests that suffering drives human creativity and action, and although fate may shape us, individuals are ultimately responsible for much of their own misery due to pride (Falk 6). Among O'Neill's plays, Desire Under the Elms most vividly reveals the Greek Dionysian spirit. It is charged with rebellious energy inspired by Nietzschean philosophy, showcasing O'Neill's ability to overcome personal grief and celebrate life with all its complexities and contradictions. The present paper attempts to explore existential tragedy inherent in lives of main characters of the play.
Keywords :
Tragedy, Greek, Loneliness, Alienation, Destiny.
