The fragility of family: Dysfunctional dynamics in modern American drama

Many dramas focus on the relationships within the family unit, a topic that psychologists and sociologists have been tackling for centuries. In this paper, I apply the research on family dynamics to the fictional families depicted in three modern American dramas: Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, Long Day's Journey into Night by Eugene O'Neill, and August: Osage County by Tracy Letts. These families face a plethora of challenging situations, including substance abuse, mental illness, physical deformities, and suicide. This paper establishes several characteristics of functional families and examines how certain stressors typically affect families and what can happen when families face multiple stressors. Although the families in these plays experience exceptionally challenging circumstances, their responses can be sadly predictable. While these playwrights may not have intended their dramas to serve as cautionary tales, their works do highlight the dangers of dysfunctional family dynamics and the importance of seeking treatment.