1. Disintegration the Family in Desire Under the Elms
... . Ephraim, the father, is the embodiment of harsh paternity, religious fanaticism, and physical strength. He enslaves his sons and his wives. All the kinds of relationships within the family are devoid of love, communication, and understanding. The father and his three sons hate each other. Consequently, the fraternal relationships are characterized by hatred, envy, and materialistic interest. ... inhuman scale, and the mechanical rhythms which Eugene O'Neill criticized in his realistic drama. His play, Desire Under the Elms, portrays the breakdown and alienation of the American family an...
- Word Count: 9352
- Approx Pages: 37
- Has Bibliography
- Grade Level: High School