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Description
Table of contents
Biographical note
Excerpt
User Reviews
The Hairy Ape is a play written by Eugene O’Neill, first produced in 1922. It is a dramatic exploration of identity, class struggle and the dehumanizing effects of industrialization. The play delves into the themes of alienation and the search for belonging in a rapidly changing world.
Set in the early twentieth century, The Hairy Ape follows the journey of Yank, a labourer in the stokehole of a transatlantic steamship. Yank is a physically powerful and proud man who finds his identity in his brute strength and connection to the machinery that powers the ship. However, his sense of self is shattered when he encounters Mildred Douglas, a wealthy socialite, who refers to him as a ‘hairy ape.’
Devastated by this encounter and his urge to prove his worth, Yank embarks on a quest to find his place in society. The transition of Yank’s character from the oppressive environment of the ship to the streets of New York City, undergoes a chain of discoveries as he witnesses the stark divisions between the rich and the working class. Yank’s journey becomes a metaphorical exploration of the struggles faced by individuals in a world increasingly dominated by technology and industry.
Throughout the play, O’Neill highlights the dehumanizing effects of industrialization on the individual. Yank’s journey reveals the crushing reality of social and economic inequality, as well as the diminishing value of human labour in the face of machines. The play also explores the theme of identity, as Yank struggles to find a place in the society and ultimately questions his own identity.
The Hairy Ape is a deeply symbolic and emotional work, showcasing O’Neill’s mastery of character development and social commentary. Through Yank’s experiences, the play explores the nuances of a society that gives more importance to material wealth over human connection and the decadence of human dignity.
O’Neill’s use of choicest of expressions and dramatic techniques heightens the play’s impact. The dialogues are poetic, capturing the raw emotions and conflicts between the characters. The stage directions and visual imagery contribute to the play’s overall sense of alienation and despair.
The Hairy Ape remains much relevant in today’s scenario, as it addresses the universal themes of identity, social class and the impact of industrialization on humans. It serves as a powerful critique of a society that values materialism over human connection and empathy. Overall, The Hairy Ape is a thought-provoking and powerful work of theatre that continues to resonate with audiences, offering a direction towards exploration of human condition and the search for identity in a rapidly changing world.
The Hairy Ape is a play written by Eugene O’Neill, first produced in 1922. It is a dramatic exploration of identity, class struggle and the dehumanizing effects of industrialization. The play delves into the themes of alienation and the search for belonging in a rapidly changing world.
Set in the early twentieth century, The Hairy Ape follows the journey of Yank, a labourer in the stokehole of a transatlantic steamship. Yank is a physically powerful and proud man who finds his identity in his brute strength and connection to the machinery that powers the ship. However, his sense of self is shattered when he encounters Mildred Douglas, a wealthy socialite, who refers to him as a ‘hairy ape.’
Devastated by this encounter and his urge to prove his worth, Yank embarks on a quest to find his place in society. The transition of Yank’s character from the oppressive environment of the ship to the streets of New York City, undergoes a chain of discoveries as he witnesses the stark divisions between the rich and the working class. Yank’s journey becomes a metaphorical exploration of the struggles faced by individuals in a world increasingly dominated by technology and industry.
Throughout the play, O’Neill highlights the dehumanizing effects of industrialization on the individual. Yank’s journey reveals the crushing reality of social and economic inequality, as well as the diminishing value of human labour in the face of machines. The play also explores the theme of identity, as Yank struggles to find a place in the society and ultimately questions his own identity.
The Hairy Ape is a deeply symbolic and emotional work, showcasing O’Neill’s mastery of character development and social commentary. Through Yank’s experiences, the play explores the nuances of a society that gives more importance to material wealth over human connection and the decadence of human dignity.
O’Neill’s use of choicest of expressions and dramatic techniques heightens the play’s impact. The dialogues are poetic, capturing the raw emotions and conflicts between the characters. The stage directions and visual imagery contribute to the play’s overall sense of alienation and despair.
The Hairy Ape remains much relevant in today’s scenario, as it addresses the universal themes of identity, social class and the impact of industrialization on humans. It serves as a powerful critique of a society that values materialism over human connection and empathy. Overall, The Hairy Ape is a thought-provoking and powerful work of theatre that continues to resonate with audiences, offering a direction towards exploration of human condition and the search for identity in a rapidly changing world.
Eugene O’Neill, born on October 16, 1888, was a renowned American playwright and Nobel laureate in Literature. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant figures in the history of American drama and is often referred to as the father of modern American theatre.
O’Neill’s life was marked by personal struggles and a deep exploration of human suffering. His works were heavily influenced by his own experiences and often delved into themes such as addiction, family dynamics and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. O’Neill’s plays were characterized by their psychological depth, realistic dialogue and a profound examination of the state of being.
Born in a theatre family in New York City, O’Neill initially had ambitions of becoming a playwright. However, his early attempts at writing had meagre success. It was not until his mid-20s, after a period of personal turmoil and self-discovery, that he found his unique voice as a dramatist.
In 1920, O’Neill achieved his breakthrough with the play Beyond the Horizon, which earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. He went on to write several critically acclaimed plays, including The Iceman Cometh, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, and A Moon for the Misbegotten. These works solidified his reputation as a master of American theatre and showcased his ability to explore the depths of human despair and hope.
O’Neill’s writing style was known for its naturalistic approach, exploring the depths of emotions and conflicts of his characters. His characters often grappled with their inner demons, struggling with addiction, guilt and disillusionment. O’Neill’s plays pushed the boundaries of traditional theatre by tackling taboo subjects and presenting complex and flawed characters that mirrored the complexities of real life.
Throughout his career, O’Neill received numerous accolades for his contributions to theatre. In addition to four Pulitzer Prizes for Drama, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1936, making him the first American playwright to receive this prestigious honour. O’Neill’s impact on American theatre and his influence on future generations of playwrights cannot be measured in words.
Despite his success, O’Neill battled personal demons throughout his life. He struggled with depression, alcoholism and a tumultuous personal life, all of which influenced his work. His own experiences with addiction and familial strife were often reflected in the themes and characters of his plays.
Eugene O’Neill passed away on November 27, 1953, leaving behind a powerful and enduring legacy. His works continue to be performed and studied worldwide, and his contributions to American theatre are celebrated to this day. O’Neill’s ability to capture the complexity of the human experience and his willingness to confront difficult truths make him a truly remarkable and influential figure in the realm of literature and drama.
Books that Speak to us Across Time
Books have a magical and timeless appeal. They inform, educate and entertain us. We love and cherish the books we grow up with, and explore the fascinating world they present all through our lives.
Trove seeks to preserve the tradition of reading by publishing books from the past. It is a treasure chest of the most precious works across various genres. Our vision is to keep alive works that have stood the test of time and pass them on to the next generation of readers.
Readers can browse and purchase titles in the Trove collection, gleaned from the huge ocean of treasured writings in the public domain, and republished. What’s more, Trove books can be read on paper or screen as they are available in a variety of formats.
Trove goes to great lengths to recover and refurbish old content, so readers can discover them in all their glory. Some treasures are indeed found not in caves but between the covers of a book.
Also from Trove
1. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
2. Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw
3. The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells
4. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
5. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
6. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
7. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
8. A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man by James Joyce
9. The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
10. The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy
11. Moby Dick or The Whale by Melville Herman
12. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
13. Animal Farm by George Orwell
14. Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne
15. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
16. She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith
17. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
18. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
19. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
20. Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
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“The Hairy Ape”
A Comedy of Ancient and Modern Life
In Eight Scenes
By Eugene O'neill
Newgen Knowledge Works Offices
Chennai Pondicherry Pune Kottayam Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
Leipzig (Germany) Amsterdam (Netherlands) Stroud (UK) Texas (USA)
First published in 1922 and also produced by the Provincetown Players
This book has been inspired from the original version of The Hairy Ape first published in 1922, available in the public domain. Due care and diligence have been taken while bringing out this edition; neither the author nor the publishers of the book hold any responsibility for any mistake that may have inadvertently crept in. The publishers shall not be liable for any direct, consequential, or incidental damages arising out of the use of the book.
© Trove Books Edition, 2023
Paperback ISBN: 978-81-19376-35-3
eBook ISBN: 978-81-19376-60-5
WebPDF: 978-81-19376-24-7
Published by
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Call: 91-72002 58368
Author Bio
Eugene O’Neill, born on October 16, 1888, was a renowned American playwright and Nobel laureate in Literature. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant figures in the history of American drama and is often referred to as the father of modern American theatre.
O’Neill’s life was marked by personal struggles and a deep exploration of human suffering. His works were heavily influenced by his own experiences and often delved into themes such as addiction, family dynamics and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. O’Neill’s plays were characterized by their psychological depth, realistic dialogue and a profound examination of the state of being.
Born in a theatre family in New York City, O’Neill initially had ambitions of becoming a playwright. However, his early attempts at writing had meagre success. It was not until his mid-20s, after a period of personal turmoil and self-discovery, that he found his unique voice as a dramatist.
In 1920, O’Neill achieved his breakthrough with the play Beyond the Horizon, which earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. He went on to write several critically acclaimed plays, including The Iceman Cometh, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, and A Moon for the Misbegotten. These works solidified his reputation as a master of American theatre and showcased his ability to explore the depths of human despair and hope.
O’Neill’s writing style was known for its naturalistic approach, exploring the depths of emotions and conflicts of his characters. His characters often grappled with their inner demons, struggling with addiction, guilt and disillusionment. O’Neill’s plays pushed the boundaries of traditional theatre by tackling taboo subjects and presenting complex and flawed characters that mirrored the complexities of real life.
Throughout his career, O’Neill received numerous accolades for his contributions to theatre. In addition to four Pulitzer Prizes for Drama, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1936, making him the first American playwright to receive this prestigious honour. O’Neill’s impact on American theatre and his influence on future generations of playwrights cannot be measured in words.
Despite his success, O’Neill battled personal demons throughout his life. He struggled with depression, alcoholism and a tumultuous personal life, all of which influenced his work. His own experiences with addiction and familial strife were often reflected in the themes and characters of his plays.
Eugene O’Neill passed away on November 27, 1953, leaving behind a powerful and enduring legacy. His works continue to be performed and studied worldwide, and his contributions to American theatre are celebrated to this day. O’Neill’s ability to capture the complexity of the human experience and his willingness to confront difficult truths make him a truly remarkable and influential figure in the realm of literature and drama.
