What is the significance of Fifth Avenue in “The Hairy Ape?”

Answer

What is the significance of Fifth Avenue in “The Hairy Ape?” [NU: 2016, 18, 20, 22] ★★★

Eugene O’Neill’s (1888-1953) “The Hairy Ape” (1922) uses Fifth Avenue as a turning point. It is not only a street. It is a symbol of wealth, class division, and rejection. For Yank, this place begins his final downfall.

Symbol of Wealth and Luxury: Fifth Avenue represents the power of the rich. The setting is described with jewelry shops and furs displayed in bright light,

“The jeweler’s window is gaudy with glittering diamonds, emeralds, rubies, pearls, etc.”

This shows the extreme wealth of the upper class. For Yank, who comes from the dirty stokehole, this world feels foreign. The Avenue highlights the huge gap between the workers and the rich.

A Place of Class Division: When Yank and Long arrive, Long points out,

“Fif’ Avenoo. This ‘ere’s their bleedin’ private lane!”

This quote shows that Fifth Avenue is not for workers like Yank. It is a symbol of class division. Yank realizes he is only a “trespasser” in this clean and rich world. The place rejects his existence.

Place of Yank’s Anger and Defeat: On Fifth Avenue, Yank tries to fight back. He looks at the rich crowd and shouts,

“All dis gives me a pain. It don’t belong.”

Here, his anger rises. He pushes and hits people, but instead of fear, the city laughs at him. The police arrest him. Fifth Avenue becomes the turning point of his downfall. It proves his weakness against society.

Fifth Avenue is important in the play. It shows wealth, class division, and rejection. It also begins Yank’s downfall. For him, it is the street of anger, failure, and tragedy.