How does O’Neill deal with the desires in ‘Desire Under the Elms’?

Answer

How does O’Neill deal with the desires in ‘Desire Under the Elms’? [2021, 2017] ✪✪✪

Or, How does O’Neill deal with the desires in “Desire Under the Elms”? [2015] 

Eugene O’Neill (1888–1953), in “Desire Under the Elms” (1924), illustrates how human desire can lead to passion, sin, and tragedy. The play reveals that desires are natural but dangerous when uncontrolled. Each main character—Ephraim Cabot, Abbie Putnam, and Eben Cabot—is driven by strong personal wants. Their desires for love, land, or power destroy peace and create pain. O’Neill shows that desire can burn like fire under the “elms,” bringing both life and death.

Desire for Land and Power: Ephraim Cabot’s main desire is for land and strength. He believes that working hard makes him close to God. He says, 

“God’s hard, not easy.” 

His faith is mixed with greed. He owns the farm but never feels peace. The land becomes his pride and his prison. He hides his money and trusts no one. His strong desire for power turns him into a lonely old man. Through Cabot, O’Neill shows that greed for land destroys love and human warmth.

Desire for Love and Security: Abbie Putnam’s desire begins with need, not love. She marries Cabot to get a home and safety. But soon, her heart fills with desire for Eben. She says, 

“Let me kiss ye, Eben! I’ll be everythin’ she was t’ ye!” 

Her longing turns to passion and guilt. To prove her love, she kills her baby. She says:

“I killed him, Eben.”

 O’Neill shows how her desire becomes sin. Yet Abbie’s final act makes her love pure through pain and punishment.

Desire for Revenge and Mother’s Love: Eben Cabot’s desire comes from hatred. He wants to take revenge on his father for his mother’s death. He says proudly, 

“She may’ve been his’n—but she’s mine now!” 

At first, his love for Abbie