An Existentialist Reading Of Long Day’s Journey Into Night

Eugene O’Neill is a monumental figure in American drama history and a perfect epitome of the 20th century American drama. Long Day’s Journey into Night is an autobiographical work. And the Tyrones in the play have existential predicaments in different degrees. This thesis analyzes and studies from the perspective of existentialism, what the Tyrones’existential experiences are, what choices they make, what the results of their choices are, and what the proper ways to deal with the existential crisis are.This thesis consists of three parts:introduction, body and conclusion. The Introduction focuses on the literature review of Long Day’s Journey into Night, research objectives, research methods and the frame of this thesis.The body includes three parts. Chapter One analyzes the Tyrones’ existential experience:the father James’ anxiety, the mother Mary’s loneliness and the younger son Edmund’s disgust. Chapter Two aims to discuss the choices of the Tyrones. The three characters take different measures to fight against their existential dilemmas. James’experience has taught him the importance of money and he becomes money-worshiping. Mary chooses to live in illusion:the reminiscence of the happy memory of the past and the reliance of morphine. Edmund chooses to get liberation through his readings and the contact with the sea. Chapter Three explores the results of the Tyrones’respective choices. James’thought of money-adoration finally leads his alienation, the alienation between him and the self, the alienation between him and the family. Mary’s evasive attitude lets her lose the ability to be a qualified mother and a qualified hostess. Edmund’s positive choice makes him to be the only hopeful one to go out of the existential plight. More importantly, he finally realizes to understand and to forgive his father.The conclusion tries to summarize that the Tyrones is in fact the microcosm of the human beings. The Tyrones’existential choices are also the reflection of O’Neill’s existential viewpoint. Through his work, he expresses that human beings should make positive choices to overcome the fear and disgust towards the reality, and face it bravely. Meanwhile, men should hold the perseverant struggling spirit.