The Hairy Ape : Quotations
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.
Quotations
Quotes
“I’m part of de engines!” – (The Hairy Ape, Yank, Scene 1)
Explanation (English): Yank proudly says that he is part of the ship’s engines. He feels his muscles are the real power that runs the world. This shows his false pride and his wrong identity.
“Oh, the filthy beast!” – (The Hairy Ape, Yank, Scene 3)
Explanation (English): Mildred Douglas insults Yank when she sees him in the stokehole. This one word destroys his confidence. It shows how the rich look at workers as animals.
“Yank—Say, where do I go from here?
Policeman—Go to hell.” – (The Hairy Ape, Scene 7)
Explanation (English): This dialogue shows Yank’s rejection by society. He looks for a place, but the police insult him. It proves that neither law nor society accepts him.
“Christ, where do I get off at? Where do I fit in?” – (The Hairy Ape, Yank, Scene 8)
Explanation (English): These are Yank’s last words before dying in the gorilla’s cage. They show his final loss of identity and place in the world. His tragedy ends in total isolation.
“I’m de end! I’m de start! I start somep’n and de woild moves!” – (The Hairy Ape, Yank, Scene 1)
Explanation (English): Yank shouts with pride in the stokehole. He believes his strength controls the whole world. This shows his false pride and illusion of power.
“All men is born free and ekal.” – (The Hairy Ape, Scene 1, Long’s dialogue)
Explanation (English): Long speaks of political equality and socialism. He believes workers and rich should be equal. His words show the dream of social justice.
“I belong and he don’t.” – (The Hairy Ape, Scene 1, Yank’s dialogue)
Explanation (English): Yank says this about himself and Paddy. He feels he belongs to the modern machine world, while Paddy belongs to the past. This shows his false confidence.
“Even him didn’t tink I belonged.” – (The Hairy Ape, Scene 8, Yank in Gorilla’s Cage)
Explanation (English): Yank cries this line in prison. He feels rejected even by other prisoners. It shows his deep isolation and broken identity.
“You’re a brainless ape.” – (The Hairy Ape, Scene 7, I.W.W. secretary)
Explanation (English): The I.W.W. secretary insults Yank. It shows rejection even from his own class. They see him only as muscle without brain. This breaks him further.