Write a Short Note on Paddy
The Hairy Ape is a notable literary work by Eugene O'Neill. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Hairy Ape.
Answer
Write a short note on Paddy. [NU: 2016]
In “The Hairy Ape” (1922) by Eugene O’Neill (1888-1953), Paddy is an old Irish sailor. He works in the stokehole with Yank and Long. His life shows sadness, memories of the past, and a sharp contrast with the modern machine age.
Paddy as an Old Sailing Worker: Paddy remembers the past. He talks of old sailing ships. He remembers the time when ships moved with wind and sails. He says there was freedom and beauty. Sailors worked under the open sky, wind, and sea. He feels proud of that life. He says,
“Oh, there was fine beautiful ships them days.”
Now everything is gone. He hates the smoke, the coal, and the noise of the stokehole. His memory shows the difference between nature and machine. Paddy is a voice of the past.
Paddy as a Contrast to Yank and Long: Paddy is weak and old. He drinks too much. Yet, he is full of human feeling. He respects the sea. Yank, on the other hand, is strong and proud. Long speaks of politics. Paddy speaks of memories. His sad songs make others silent.
Paddy as a Symbol: Paddy is a symbol in the play. He stands for the old life of human labor before machines. He represents freedom, humanity, and dignity. In contrast, the stokehole is a prison. Paddy shows that workers once had pride. But now, men are like animals in cages. So, he says,
“Caged in by steel from a sight of the sky like bloody apes in the Zoo!”
His character adds depth to the play. He makes us think of what society has lost.
Paddy is a minor character but very important. He is old, weak, and drunk, but he gives the play a sad beauty. His words remind us of freedom and human dignity. He is the past voice in a modern tragedy.