The Hairy Ape
Drama
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Eugene O'Neill
The Hairy Ape Summary
Summary
Scene 1 – Conflict of Strength, Politics, and Memory
The first scene begins in the firemen’s forecastle of the ship. The ship has already left New York and is now on its way across the Atlantic Ocean. This is the resting place for the stokers who shovel coal. The scene opens after they have finished work and entered the room. The space is full of noise. All the workers are tired, yet they...
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The Hairy Ape Theme
Themes
Existentialism: The Hairy Ape is essentially a story of human identity crisis. At first, Yank believes he is the very center of civilization. It is through his strength and labor that the ship moves and the world advances. But when Mildred insults him by calling him a beast, his inner world collapses. He begins to question: who is he, really? The wealthy society does not acknowledge him, th...
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The Hairy Ape Character
Major Characters
Yank (Protagonist): The central character of the play. He is a stoker in the ship’s engine room, shoveling coal. At first, he believes he is the one who keeps the world moving. But after Mildred insults him as a “beast,” his confidence shatters. He becomes alienated from society and begins searching for his identity. In the end, he identifies himself with a gorilla in the zoo a...
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The Hairy Ape Literary Device
Figures of Speech
Metaphor: Definition: When one thing is directly compared to another without using like or as. Example: Yank is repeatedly called the “Hairy Ape.” Explanation: Yank is actually a human being, but metaphorically he is referred to as an animal. This suggests that the industrialized society has degraded the working class from human beings to beasts. Even though Yank’s strength, b...
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The Hairy Ape Quotations
Quotes
“I’m part of de engines!” – (The Hairy Ape, Yank, Scene 1)
Explanation (English): Yank proudly says that he is part of the ship’s engines. He feels his muscles are the real power that runs the world. This shows his false pride and his wrong identity.
“Oh, the filthy beast!” – (The Hairy Ape, Yank, Scene 3)
Explanation (English): Mildred Douglas insults Yank when she sees him in the stok...
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Notes
Explore 12 detailed notes related to The Hairy Ape. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.