A Study Of Long Day’s Journey Into Night From The Perspective Of Horneyan Psychoanalysis

Eugene O Neill was one of the representative writers of Americanexpressionism. The theme O Neill concerned mostly was the inner conflict u nderouter pressu re.This thesis aims at interpreting the cause of Tyrones anxiety, their defensivestrategies as well as the final consequences by employing the neurosis theory of KarenHorney. It discloses the important influences of cultural exerted on the formation ofindividuals anxiety.Firstly, the author of the thesis offers a detailed analysis on the important reasonsof the formation of the four protagonists basic anxiety, basically from their lifeenvironment. And then the defensive strategies will be discussed. The discussions onthe one hand focus on interpersonal defenses, and on the other hand pay attention tointrapsychic strategies. By analyzing the former, the reasons why each of the Tyronesalways blames others for their unfortunate life, which shows their hatred to others,become clear. And the analysis of the intrapsychic defenses employed by the Tyroneswill focus on the alienation of the self of the Tyrones, which shows their love to others.And lastly the consequences of their unresolved conflicts will be discussed, and fromwhich the reader can know exactly that all the neurotic strategies will do nothing goodfor resolving the inner conflicts, only true love can help people get out of the dilemma.The study starts a new interpretation on Long Day’s Journey into Night, andprovides a relatively new perspective for further research on O Neill and his plays. Byanalyzing the miserable fate of the Tyrones, the importance of the balanceinterpersonal relationship becomes obvious. People who want to get rid of the plightshould establish good interpersonal relationship and achieve self-realization.