Comment on the Significance of the Elms Trees and the Farm in Desire Under the Elms.
Desire Under the Elms 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, to various questions of Desire Under the Elms.
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Comment on the significance of the elms trees and the farm in Desire Under the Elms.
“Desire Under the Elms” (1924) is a modern tragedy written by Eugene O’Neill (1888 – 1953). The title of the play is significant. The Elms are used symbolically here.
The dominance of female characters: Two giant elm trees are beside the farm. They resemble exhausted women resting their sagging breasts, hands, and hair on their roof. They represent Cabot’s two dead wives.
Fertility: The green hue of the elms stands for fertility, which has been denied in the house since the death of Eben’s mother.
Symbol of nature: Abbie tells Eben that nature will beat him. Abbie’s seduction is a retributive act. In this sense, nature beats him. When Abbie depicts the sexual desire for the growth of elm trees, she draws attention to them as symbols of nature.
To sum up, it is undoubtedly said that the elm trees are used as symbols of nature, fertility, and dominance of female characters.