An Analysis Of Eugene O’neill’s Mourning Becomes Electra From The Perspective Of Existentialist Feminism

Eugene O’Neill is one of the greatest playwrights in the 20 th century who is called “the father of American modern tragedy”.His Mourning Becomes Electra is a dramatic trilogy which portrays the life story of Mannon family.Some scholars at home and abroad have studied Eugene O’Neill and Mourning Becomes Electra through many aspects,but the study from the perspective of Existentialist Feminism has been neglected.This thesis intends to present a new way to interpret the life of these two female characters in Mourning Becomes Electra from the perspective of Existentialist Feminism which is put forward by Simone de Beauvior in The Second Sex.Existentialist Feminism is a theory which explores women’s existence and freedom.Through a theoretical and textual analysis of Mourning Becomes Electra,this thesis uncovers the social oppression on two female characters in Mourning Becomes Electra.It also reveals women’s surviving predicament in patriarchal society after analyzing women’s free choice,their corresponding results after free choice and their own weaknesses.This thesis comes to the conclusion that Eugene O’Neill is a great playwright who cares about women’s existence and the force behind it.Although Christine and Lavinia in Mourning Becomes Electra do not obtain their authentic freedom,O’Neill shows his unceasing concern for women’s destiny.This thesis also appeals people to pay attention to women and hopefully,it will help the study of Mourning Becomes Electra.