Discuss “The Hairy Ape” as a Social Satire. 

Answer

Discuss “The Hairy Ape” as a social satire.  

The Hairy Ape (1922) by Eugene O’Neill (1888 – 1953) is a play that uses simple and clear language to show the struggles of a man named Yank. This play is more than just a story about one person. It is a social satire that makes fun of the unfairness in society. In this play, O’Neill talks about the differences between the rich and the poor and how people are treated like machines. It also shows how some people do not belong anywhere. Let’s look at important points that show how The Hairy Ape is a social satire.

Class Divisions: The Hairy Ape vividly portrays the deep class divisions in society. Yank, who works in the stokehole, is proud of his strength. He sees himself as an essential part of the ship. He says, 

I’m de end! I’m de start! I start somep’n and de woild moves! 

However, the wealthy characters, like Mildred, view him as nothing more than a “filthy beast.” This stark contrast highlights the upper class’s hate for the working class. 

Exploitation of Workers: O’Neill satirizes the exploitation of workers through Yank’s belief that his work gives him power and identity. Yank proudly claims, 

I’m part of de engines!

He believes that he is the driving force behind the ship. However, the reality is that his labour only benefits the rich, and he is merely a tool in the capitalist machine. This false sense of empowerment blinds Yank to his exploitation. 

The Absurdity of Industrialization: The play criticizes the absurdity of the industrial age. Here, machines have taken importance over human life. Yank’s identity is tied to the ship’s engines, but this connection is ultimately meaningless. The machinery he serves does not care for him. When he tries to maintain himself, society rejects him. 

Yank—Say, where do I go from here?

Policeman— Go to hell.

This is evident when Yank tries to join the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). O’Neill uses this rejection to show how industrialization has dehumanized workers. This makes them feel like they do not belong anywhere.

Satire of Social Progress: O’Neill also criticizes the notion of social progress. While the world around Yank is changing, these changes do not improve the lives of the working class. Instead, they further oppress them. Paddy, an old stoker, desires the days of sailing ships. They worked hard but were rewarded. O’Neill uses this to show that progress is not always good and can worsen some people’s lives.

Identity Crisis: Yank’s journey is a satire about the identity crisis. Many workers face this crisis in a capitalist society. Throughout the play, Yank struggles to find where he belongs. He goes from the ship to the streets of New York, to the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World) office, and even to the zoo, but he never finds a place where he fits in. At the end of the play, he says, 

Even him didn’t tink I belonged,

After that, the gorilla kills him. This sad ending shows how Yank’s search for belonging ends in tragedy.

Dehumanization: The ultimate satire in The Hairy Ape is the dehumanization on the working class. Yank is compared to a “hairy ape,” and by the end of the play, he begins to see himself as less than human. This dehumanization is a direct result of the class system and industrialization. In the final scene, Yank dies after being crushed by a gorilla. This symbolizes how society’s treatment of workers reduces them to animals with no place in the world.

The Hairy Ape is a powerful social satire that uses Yank’s story to criticize 20th-century society. Through these themes, O’Neill shows the unfairness in the world. The play teaches us to look closely at society and consider how we treat each other.