Evolution In Eugene O'neill's Conception Of Women

Eugene O'Neill is "the father of modern drama" in America,whose conception of women is always attracting attention from critics studying him. Since the very beginning of studying him and his works, the controversy about his conception of women hasn't been continuously stopped. This thesis is based on the feminist theories and detailed texts to explore the evolution in Eugene O'Neill's conception of women. Meanwhile, through reading his biographies, the reasons for this evolution are explained.One drama or dramas in one period have been analyzed by some critics, a number of whom appreciate his conception of women for he expose the suppression that women suffer from, while some other critics hardly criticize it for his promotion of patriarchal society. However, his conception of women is not in a still state.Before Breakfast, Strange Interlude, and Long Day's Journey into Night are chosen as example of his early, middle and late works to explore the characteristics of his conception of women exhibited in three creating periods. Misogyny is the main feature of his conception of women appearing in his early dramas. The main reason for this goes to two person: August Strindberg who is imitated by O'Neill during his early creating period, and his first wife bringing suffering to him—suicide. Absence of mother's love and the final achievement of maternity form his third wife—substitute mother results into his promotion of maternity in his middle works. Compared with his early and middle works, his late works feature his sympathy to those women suppressed by the "maternity",which is due to his final forgiving to his mother and the social background where feminist movements took place.Therefore, Eugene O'Neill's conception of women is through such a process that is misogyny—maternity—sympathy.