Discuss the Major Themes of “The Hairy Ape.”

Answer

Discuss the major themes of “The Hairy Ape.” 

Eugene O’Neill’s (1888 – 1953) iconic play is “The Hairy Ape” (1922). The play talks about the life of a man named Yank. The play shows how Yank tries to find his place in the world but feels lost. The play uses simple but strong ideas to show how Yank struggles with his pride, identity, and the feeling of not belonging anywhere. It also talks about how the world is changing and how people like Yank are treated by society. Below are the major themes presented in the play.

Lack of Identity: At the heart of “The Hairy Ape” is the theme of identity. Yank, the main character, believes he is strong and powerful because of his work as a stoker. He says, 

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

Yank sees himself as an important part of the ship and the world. However, his sense of identity is surprised when Mildred, a rich young woman, calls him a “filthy beast.” This insult makes him realize that he does not belong to the world of the rich or even to the world of ordinary people. 

Exploitation and Oppression: The play also explores the theme of exploitation and oppression. Yank and his fellow workers are treated as mere tools in the capitalist system. They work hard, but their labour benefits only the rich. Yank believes he is strong and important, but the truth is that he is being exploited. This is highlighted when Long, a fellow worker, says, 

All men is born free and ekal.

Long tries to make Yank see that they are oppressed, but Yank does not understand. His pride in his physical strength blinds him.

Pride and the Fall: Pride is another key theme in The Hairy Ape. Yank takes great pride in his work and his strength. He sees himself as more powerful than the rich people above deck. However, this pride leads to his downfall. When Mildred calls him a “filthy beast,” it hurts his pride deeply. He becomes obsessed with proving his worth. But in the end, he realizes that his pride has blinded him to the reality of his situation. This realization leads him to a tragic end.

The Dehumanizing Effect of Industrialization: O’Neill also criticizes the industrial age in The Hairy Ape. The play shows how industrialization dehumanizes people. Yank, who works in a ship’s stokehole, is reduced to a machine-like existence. He says, 

I’m part of de engines!

This statement shows how he sees himself as just another part of the machinery. The stokehole is like a prison, and Yank’s life is like an animal’s. The industrial world has deprived him of his humanity

Isolation and Alienation: Yank feels increasingly isolated and alienated throughout the play. At first, he feels a sense of belonging with his fellow workers, but after the encounter with Mildred, he feels like an outsider. He says, 

I belong and he don’t, 

However, he knows he no longer belongs anywhere. His journey to find a place where he fits in only leads to more isolation. Even when he tries to join a radical group, they reject him. This alienation drives him to the point of madness.

Search for Belonging: Yank spends the whole play trying 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.

The Hairy Ape is a powerful exploration of the human condition in the modern world. Through the character of Yank, the play is a reminder of the struggles individuals face in a world that often treats them as nothing more than machines.