THE THEME OF DEATH, SYMBOLICALLY AND MOTIVATIONALLY, IN THE PLAYS OF EUGENE O'NEILL

Eugene O'Neill is widely regarded as one of the foremost American playwrights. The subject of this thesis shall be the theme of death in his plays. The theme of death shall be examined on two levels: on a symbolic, spiritual level and also on a motivational, physical level. These two levels will be examined individually and conjunctively. The relationship between the theme of death and O'Neill's attitude at the time of writing shall also be examined.; An introductory chapter sets the scope of the thesis, advances some background information and sets the thesis in its field. In Chapters 2, 3, and 4 selected plays are examined in relation to the thesis topic. These three chapters are also defined by the three time periods established by the writer. The conclusion draws the examination together and offers an overview of some of the major influences on O'Neill and his plays.