Discuss the Theme of Revenge in Desire Under the Elms.

Answer

Discuss the theme of revenge in Desire Under the Elms.

“Desire Under the Elms” (1924) by Eugene O’Neill (1888-1953) is a play deeply infused with themes of passion, greed, and betrayal. In the play, O’Neill displays a theme of revenge.  It is set in rural New England in the 1850s. The play revolves around the struggles within the Cabot family. It focuses on issues of inheritance and paternal conflict.

The Theme of Revenge: Revenge in “Desire Under the Elms” is expressed primarily through the actions and motivations of its central characters: Ephraim Cabot, his young wife Abbie Putnam, and his son from a previous marriage, Eben Cabot. Each character’s pursuit of personal desires sets the stage for acts of revenge that are subtle and overt, affecting each character’s destiny.

Eben’s Revenge: Eben maintains deep bitterness towards his father, Ephraim, whom he blames for the death of his mother. Eben’s mother had toiled on the farm with the promise that it would one day belong to Eben. But Ephraim’s relentless pursuit of wealth and disregard for his family leads Eben to believe that his mother’s death was caused by a life of hardship imposed by Ephraim.

Eben’s Revengeful Love: We find Eben’s passionate love for her. From the first meeting of them, they start to quarrel. But in a quarrel, Abbie always tries to lure him. In Part 2 Scene 3, we get the description of their kissing scene. Suddenly, Abbie comes to his room and kisses him. At first, he does not want to kiss her, but ultimately, he also helps her with passionate kisses. Thus, they have come from hatred to passion.

Eben’s Revenge on his Father:  Eben wants revenge on his father. So, he thinks if he uses Abbe, he can take revenge on his father.  Eben tells her after kissing that he thought the lips of Minnie, the local prostitute, were not hers at kissing time. We come to know that Abbie wants to be Eben’s lover. Then Abbie says to her in the following manner:

Abbie: ……. I thought that you would not go to her when I am willing to accept you as a lover.

They are step-mother- son. But there is no care about it. They are loving each other like a lover and beloved. After kissing part, she invites him to the parlor for their passionate desire. She says that:

Abbie: ….. Now I am going downstairs and you Mr. Eben Cabot, you will come downstairs to meet me in the parlour.

Then, very soon, she says:

Abbie: I shall expect you to follow me and come to me.

Eben goes to the parlour to meet her and have sex with her. Thus, they fulfil their forbidden passionate love.

Abbie’s Revenge: Abbie arrives as Ephraim’s new, much younger wife, with her agenda—to secure her future through farm ownership. Her relationship with Eben begins as part of this manipulative scheme. But it evolves into genuine affection and a passionate love affair when Abbie realizes that Ephraim intends to leave the farm for the church. Then She tries to take revenge on her husband.

Ephraim’s Revenge: Ephraim’s approach to revenge is less direct but evident in his harsh treatment of his sons and wife. He seems to derive a harsh satisfaction from outliving his wives and maintaining control over his sons. He views their suffering as a form of retribution for their perceived ingratitude and the hardships he endured in his own life. Cabot very much loves his farmhouse. In the beginning, the dramatist describes his farmhouse: 

The sky above the roof is suffused with deep colors, and the green of the elms glows, but the house is in shadow, seemingly pale and washed out by contrast.

In termination, we can say that in “Desire Under the Elms,” revenge is portrayed as a consuming force that ultimately leads to the character’s downfall. It underscores the darker aspects of human nature and the destructive consequences of unchecked desire and ambition.