Consider “The Hairy Ape” as a social satire.

Answer

Consider “The Hairy Ape” as a social satire. [NU: 2015, 19, 21] ★★★

Eugene O’Neill’s (1888-1953) “The Hairy Ape” (1922) is not only a tragedy but also a strong social satire. O’Neill laughs at modern society, but in a serious way. He shows the clash between the rich and the poor. He attacks industrialization, class division, and false sympathy. Characters like Yank, Mildred, Paddy, Long, the rich people on Fifth Avenue, and even the gorilla all reflect satire on society.

Satire on the Working Class: The first scene takes us to the firemen’s forecastle. Yank, Paddy, and Long represent the working class. They are half drunk, dirty, and loud. O’Neill paints them like beasts. The satire is clear. They think they are free, but in truth, they are slaves of machines. Yank proudly says,

“I’m part of de engines!”

This shows false pride. O’Neill mocks the idea that workers feel powerful when, in fact, they are trapped in dark stokeholes like caged animals.

Satire on the Upper Class: In Scene Two, Mildred Douglas and her Aunt sit on the deck. They wear white clothes. They enjoy the sun while workers burn coal and smoke. Mildred says she wants to know how the working class lives. But this is false sympathy. She faints when she sees Yank and calls him, 

“The filthy beast!” 

O’Neill satirizes the rich who pretend to care for the poor but actually despise them. The Aunt represents arrogance. She warns Mildred not to go below deck. This scene laughs at upper-class “charity.”

Satire on Class Division: Scene Five takes place on Fifth Avenue, New York. The street is clean, rich, and proud. O’Neill sets satire here by showing the gap between classes. Long speaks of socialism. But Yank only wants revenge. He blocks people from the church. He insults them. They are shocked but silent. Yank finally hits a gentleman. Soon, the police arrest him. The satire here is on both sides. The rich ignore the workers.