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An Analysis of Eugene O'neill's "Desire Under the Elms" in Terms of Its Success

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An Analysis of Eugene O'neill's UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-1999 Timing is everything almost: An analysis of Eugene O'Neill's "Desire Under the Elms" in terms of its success Janet Catherine Alicesun University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Alicesun, Janet Catherine, "Timing is everything almost: An analysis of Eugene O'Neill's "Desire Under the Elms" in terms of its success" (1999). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 1020. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/mhxd-2a9p This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI Bell & Howell Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. NOTE TO USERS This reproduction is the best copy available. UMI Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TIMING IS EVERYTHING ... ALMOST AN ANALYSIS OF EUGENE O'NEILL'S DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS IN TERMS OF ITS SUCCESS by Janet C. Alicesun Associate in Arts University of Hawaii, Maui Communitv College 1983 Bachelor of Arts City University of New York, Queens College 1996 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts Degree Department of Theatre Arts College of Fine Arts Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas August 1999 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. tJMI Number: 1396404 UlVfl Microform 1396404 Copyright 1999, by UMI Company. Ail rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying Under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 3OO North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. © 1999 Janet C. Alicesun All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Thesis Approval UNIV The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas August 16. The Thesis prepared by Janet C. Alicesun Entitled Timing Is Everything...Almost Analysis of O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms In Terms of Its Success is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Theatre ion Co Dean of the Graduate College Ejmmination Committee Member ^^ l ( Committee Member uate College Faculty Representative U Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT Timing Is Everything. .Almost An Analysis Of Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under The Elms In Terms Of Its Success by Janet C. Alicesun Jeffrey Keep, Ph.D. Examination Committee Chair Dean of Fine Arts University of Nevada, Las Vegas Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms has proven itself a play worthy of praise. This thesis traces the specific elements which illustrate that this theatrical work, having gone beyond the audience for which it was written in 1924, continues to be rightfully considered a success seventy-five years after its creation. Unlike Robert Brustein in Theatre of Revolt and Eric Bentley in Thinking About The Playwright, who classify and compare all of O'Neill's work in their role as professional critics, this thesis examines and reflects on this one work as an individual entity unto itself. This analysis surveys the prevailing literary, social and moral environment which contributed to Desire Under the Elm's birthing and nurturing to maturity as an American classic. Included is an evaluation of the play in terms of iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. its "superstructure," structural characteristics, as a dramatic work and with an eye to the author's success in approaching this creation via Aristotle's definition of a tragedy (Ball viii). It concludes with an examination of Desire's place in contemporary theater as the final element defining its success. rv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................... vi CHAPTER 1 THE BEGINNING.................................... 1 CHAPTER 2 ELEMENTS OF DESIRE'S SUCCESS.................... 13 CHAPTER 3 THE STAGED DESIRE: IMPACT,IMPORTANCE AND SUCCESS. ........................................................ 33 CHAPTER 4 A POET'S EFFORTS EXAMINED.......................50 CHAPTER 5 MEASURES AND MEANING OF SUCCESS................ 63 APPENDIX I ORIGINAL PLAYBILL............................. 68 APPENDIX II STAGE SETS SKETCHES........................... 70 APPENDIX III PHOTOGRAPHED STAGE SETS........................ 7 4 BIBLIOGRAPHY................................................ 82 VITA........................................................ 85 V Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I write this Thesis in loving memory of my sister, Joy Alicesun. Her courage inspired me to complete my journey whatever the challenges or obstacles. I deeply appreciate the guidance and encouragement of those educators who made this Thesis possible: Dean Jeff Koep, Davey Marlin-Jones, Ellis Pryce-Jones, Dr. Ann McDonough, Dr. Chris Hudgins, Francisco Menendez and Edee Moseley. I thank my family and my friends for their patience and sideline- cheer-leading, especially Elizabeth Breslin, Kristan Alicesun, Kim Chin, and Julie St. Anne. VI Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CHAPTER 1 THE BEGINNING In examining Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms, this thesis proposes to illustrate the many elements which contributed to its success. It is hoped that this examination will more effectively demonstrate the interweaving of the myriad of threads which comprise the living-tapestry of Desire Under the Elms. Eugene O'Neill was a gifted writer, but it was also his spectacular good fortune of having developed as a playwright at the particular time in theatre history which contributed to his works' long-lived success. Gratefully, time has granted us the luxury of measuring Desire Under the Elms' success in many more meaningful terms then just the yard­ stick of box-office receipts. O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms has been published and performed in theatres all over the world for seventy-five years. Translating its earnings into today's equivalent value is nearly meaningless compared to the eloquent testimony given by its universal appeal and longevity. The major outside factor for Desire Under the Elms' success can best be summed up in the old axiom, "Timing is Everything". At the time of O'Neill's literary ascent, the Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 2 early 20"^^ century, there were many changes in American art patronage. They had become more conscious of what it was to be American. The expansion to the West by the early settlers was a popular topic for the literate middle-class, which was now joining the intellectual middle-class as patrons of the theatre and reading audience of newly published
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