Discuss the Major Themes of “The Hairy Ape.”

Answer

 Discuss the major themes of “The Hairy Ape.” [NU: 2017]

Eugene O’Neill’s (1888-1953) “The Hairy Ape” (1922) is a famous modern tragedy. It is written in an expressionist style. The hero Yank works in the stokehole of a ship. He meets Paddy, Long, Mildred Douglas, the police, the I.W.W., and finally the gorilla in the Zoo. The play shows big themes of life. These themes are identity, class, isolation, industrialization, and existentialism.

Class Conflict and Social Division: One main theme is class conflict. The play shows the fight between the rich and the poor. In the firemen’s forecastle, Yank feels powerful. But Mildred Douglas comes in a white dress. She is from a rich steel family. She sees Yank and cries, 

“Oh, the filthy beast!” 

Then she faints. This insult breaks Yank. It shows how the rich look down on workers. In Scene Five, he goes to Fifth Avenue. People from the church avoid him. He shouts, he pushes, but they reject him. This proves the gap between the rich and the poor. The theme of class division is very strong.

Industrialization and Dehumanization: Another theme is industrialization. The ship’s stokehole is full of coal, smoke, and heat. Paddy remembers old sailing days when ships moved with the wind. He says there was freedom. Now everything is machine and iron. Yank proudly cries, 

“I’m part of de engines!” 

He feels like the ship’s power. But soon he learns the truth. Industrial society uses workers only as tools. In the prison, Yank tries to bend the iron bars. He looks like an animal in a cage. This shows machines make men less human. The play proves that the industry dehumanizes workers.

Identity Crisis and Alienation: The play is also about identity. Yank begins with pride. He feels he belongs to the ship. But Mildred’s insult makes him doubt. He tries to find his place. But he fails in every scene. The I.W.W. workers reject him. A policeman ignores him. 

“Yank—Say,

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