A Study Of Religious Thought In Eugene O'neill's Drama

Eugene O'Neill is a world-renowned playwright and drama theorist.He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1936.It is considered to be one of the most outstanding playwrights in the United States in the 20 th century.Rich experience and extensive knowledge have created a unique "Tragedy by O'Neill." Behind his brilliant artistic career,he concise the writer's philosophical thinking on many ultimate issues such as "destiny","belief" and "ideal".He was born in an Irish Catholic family but doubted God and whipped Puritanism,always on the brink of religion.After being completely disappointed with the Western tradition,the middle-aged turned his eyes to the East,and was passionate about the philosophy of "one yin and one yang",trying to use Eastern wisdom to redefine the "mysterious power" that caused the tragedy of human destiny.Although O'Neill is an excellent playwright,he is a great "human soul writer." He spent the rest of his life thinking about rebuilding the spiritual home of mankind.This article insists on the combination of text and theory,and focuses on three aspects to comprehensively and systematically summarize the religious thoughts hidden behind the tragic art.The full text is divided into four parts in order.The first chapter reveals the crisis of belief in modern Western society by summarizing Western religious traditions and the status quo of American Puritan beliefs from the end of the19 th century to the beginning of the 20 th century.To clarify the historical background of O'Neill's creation,the author aims to place the writer in the development of specific historical culture at that time,and to explore the influence of Western traditional religion and American Native Puritanism on its tragic creation.In addition to social factors,this chapter also returns to the writer himself to explore the personal factors that influence his creation.An overview of O'Neill's family and youth life: from immigrant families with Irish Catholic faith;to youngergenerations following the father's performances;and then to the youthful wandering life.It summarizes,combs and analyzes the ancient Greek tragedy spirit and the modern philosophy and psychology that influenced the formation of O'Neill's tragic artistic creation and his personal thoughts,as well as the Eastern Taoist philosophy that he yearned after his middle age,and showed his thoughts on the religious thoughts of the East and the West.The exploration of the ultimate problem such as the life of the universe reflects its pessimistic,skeptical,and rebellious thinking traits.This is the root of the complex contradiction of religious thoughts expressed in the Austrian drama.This chapter is a premise that explores the Aussie drama and reveals his many questions about life,destiny and even religion.It is indispensable to deeply summarize the characteristics of religious thoughts on the basis of the text.The second chapter shows the writer's doubts and reflections on American Puritanism.This is also one of the focuses of the research.To a certain extent,the Austrian drama deducts the loss and embarrassment,struggle and pain,helplessness and compromise under the oppression of the Puritan faith.This chapter discusses the religious ideas from different levels in combination with specific theatrical texts.The three dramas of the most "American Puritanism","Desire under the Elms","The Great God Brown" and "Sorrow" are examples,accusing the ugliness of traditional beliefs,revealing that the American Puritanism harms the healthy personality and suppresses the good humanity.The reality.Based on the specific theory of religious philosophy,through the careful reading of the text,the playwright examines and summarizes the doubts and rebellions of the American Puritan teachings.The third chapter shows O'Neill's philosophical writing on the tragic fate of mankind.Influenced by the ancient Greek tragic spirit,modern irrational philosophy,psychoanalysis,mythological archetypes and other theories,his plays deepen the understanding of the human tragic fate and the "potential power" above human destiny and ordinary life.The pursuit of ideals and beliefs,the longing for free life and destiny,and the powerful fear and curse of natural forces are all concrete manifestations of this "deepening" in the play.These characterizations are highlighted by metaphors,symbols,or autobiographical expressions,but are the refractions of the writer's unique beliefs and religious spirits.This chapter is a textual illustration of "The LongMarch of Entering the Night" and "Anna Christie".The purpose is to analyze O'Neill's suspicion of faith,confusion and desire for religious redemption.The fourth chapter is based on the typical drama,and discusses the writer's speculation on the spirit of the Eastern Taoist.Due to the frequent war of aggression against China in recent times,a large number of Western missionaries stepped into the land of China,brought Western religions and various social thoughts,and also recognized the profound Chinese civilization.Taoism was translated as an important part of it.West.The complexity of O'Neill's religious view is,in a sense,his reflection and yearning for the Taoist culture that represents Eastern thought.Many of his works are filled with the radiance of oriental thought and culture.This is what he differs from most Western dramatists.The understanding of Laozi and Zhuangzi's philosophy-religious view is reflected in his life and is also revealed in his creation.This chapter takes the example of "The Iceman Comes","Marco Million" and "Lazarus Laughs" as an example.From the philosophies of "doing nothing","yin and yang" and "returning",the three dramas are analyzed and the interpretation is focused on The spirit of Taoism in the oriental color is based on the deep philosophical thoughts of Aussie.