Throughout "The Hairy Ape" Eugene O"Neill manages to incorporate three very different elements into the play write. Each of these elements, expressionism, realism, and symbolism are sometimes combined as one, or expressed alone to place more emphasis on a particular event. .
Realism can be seen in many scenes throughout the play, but especially the aspect of the industrialization of the workers. All of these men are almost seen as programmed to do their job, with out showing many emotions and also lacking much thought, like an "ape". This was a very realistic approach in objectifying their common, average, everyday routine. None of these men are required to have much thought, but purely a strong caliber for physical work. The firemen are at one point even said to be "ape" like, as Paddy is described "extremely monkey-like". As these men work harder and longer, they are being stripped from reality and moving closer to a Neanderthal state of mine. It is easily seen as to what their class and status by their experiences. This type of depiction in the beginning of the play helps understand the reasoning for Yank actually becoming an "ape" in the Zoo.
Expressionism and a little realism are represented by the societal classes. Mildred and Yank have very different lifestyles, although they both have concerns with their status. Mildred wants something more exciting, and even says at one point that she wants to basically touch "life", and see what it has to offer beyond her very secluded manner. On the other hand Yank has felt that this "life" Mildred speaks of has been too much a part of his life, and he is seeking to overcome the structure of the classes. Yank finds "belonging" very important. These too very different views of life objectify the inner experiences of these two very different characters.
The purpose of this essay is to discuss two major external conflicts in the play "The Hairy Ape", by Eugene O"Neill. One of the major external conflicts in this play "The Hairy Ape" is Mildred and Yank's struggle with the class. ... They got the name "The Hairy Ape" from his character and role in this play. ...
There has also been historical evidence about different ape-like creatures around the world dating to the earliest civilizations. ... The sketch resembles a large hairy primate looking creature. ... The "hairy man" raised his forearm and covered its face. ... The sketch resembled a large hairy beast, with long legs, humanistic features and stood up right. ... Much of the oral history that mentioned the Hairy Men were extinct or almost extinct. ...
Early hominids were very skilled hunters but were hairy; therefor got worn out quicker. ... From the same source, Apes began to walk upright; being bipedal which means that they walk on two feet, saved energy when hunting. ... Also "Toumais skull, which is 6-7 years old, was placed on an ape like skeleton and his eyes pointed his eyes pointed down and his skull was then placed on a biped skeleton and his eyes pointed straight ahead." ...
Erikson mentions creatures which were "horribly ugly, hairy, swarthy, and with big black eyes. ... For example, the Karok Indians told about "upslope persons who were hairy, large, strong, stupid, and crude"" (Gaffron 22). ... In the video recording, the hairy creature paused to look back at him (Gaffron 75). ... Unlike apes, Bigfoot can swim, see in the dark, and survive in a wide variety of climates. ... They say an enormous glowing ball descended from the sky and two tall, hairy monsters with large, shining yellow-green eyes emerged from it (Gaffron 92). ...
