Desire Under the Elms

Drama | Eugene O'Neill

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Desire Under the Elms Summary

Part One: Scenes 1-4 The Setting and the Cabot Farmhouse The play begins in New England (a region in the United States) in the year 1850. The setting is a lonely farmhouse of the Cabot family. Two big elm trees bend over the roof. They seem to “protect” the house but also “press down” on it. It is as if the elm trees are heavy with sadness. This gives the place a dark and trapped feeling. Everythi...

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Desire Under the Elms Themes

Themes Greed and Possession: In “Desire Under the Elms,” greed for land destroys peace in the Cabot family. Ephraim Cabot loves his rocky farm more than his own sons. To him, the land is like God. His sons—Simeon, Peter, and Eben—also dream of owning it because they worked hard on it for years. Abbie marries Cabot only to get this farm for herself. Everyone’s mind becomes filled with greed. They f...

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Desire Under the Elms Quotations

Quotes “Two enormous elms are on each side of the house… They appear to protect and at the same time subdue.” —Description Exp: This is a stage description. The elm trees stand over the house like something heavy. The trees keep the house always in their shadow. They symbolically show how the women’s power (Maw’s memory and Abbie’s love) both give comfort and control, or trap the men. “Didn'...

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Desire Under the Elms Characters

Character Analysis Ephraim Cabot: Ephraim Cabot is an old, hard, and stubborn farmer. He owns a rocky farm in New England. He believes that hard work and land ownership are the only sources of power. He is strict, proud, and selfish. He never shows love to his sons. He only cares about his land. Abbie Putnam: Abbie is Ephraim’s third wife. She is much younger than him. She marries him mainly to ge...

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Desire Under the Elms Literary Device

Symbols Elm Trees: The elm trees near the farmhouse stand for the power of women like Maw and Abbie. They seem to protect the house but also make it dark and heavy. Just like the trees, Maw’s memory and Abbie’s love both comfort and control the men. They show love that protects yet traps. The Farm: The Cabot farm is the symbol of greed, pride, and inheritance. Everyone—Ephraim, Abbie, and Eben—wan...

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