Eugene O’Neill's Long Day’s Journey into Night as a Modern Tragedy
1. Characters Trapped in Despair Eugene O’Neill’s “Long Day’s Journey into Night” is hailed as one of the greatest American tragedies, presenting a modern interpretation of the classic tragic form. The play unfolds the lives of the dysfunctional Tyrone family, entangled in a cycle of despair and suffering, unable to escape the weight of their own shortcomings. Characters like James, Mary, Jamie, and Edmund grapple with their past, choices, and the inevitability of their present circumstances, portraying a sense of futility and hopelessness central to the tragic form. 2. Addiction as a Central Theme The theme of addiction permeates the play, adding a contemporary element to its tragic narrative. Mary's morphine addiction, James's heavy drinking, and Jamie's struggles with alcoholism not only reflect individual weaknesses but also serve as a broader commentary on the destructive nature of addiction. The play engages with the societal issue of substance abuse, underlining its ab…