This blog is part of assignment of Paper 108: The American Literature.
Family Dysfunction and Memory Wars in "Long Day's Journey into Night" and "The Glass Menagerie"
- Personal Information
- Assignment Details
- Introduction
- Keywords
- The Origins of Memory Studies
- Family Dysfunction: A Painful Reality
- Memory Wars: Battles over the Past
- Illustrations from the Works
- Comparative Analysis
- Conclusion
Personal Information:-
Name:- Dhatri Parmar
Batch:- M.A. Sem 2 (2023-2025)
Enrollment Number:- 5108230032
E-mail Address:-dhatriparmar291@gmail.com
Roll Number:- 7
Assignment Details:-
Topic :Family Dysfunction and Memory Wars in "Long Day's Journey into Night" and "The Glass Menagerie"
Paper 108: The American Literature
Submitted to:- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar
Date of Submission:- April 26, 2024
Abstract:
This paper explores the themes of family dysfunction and memory wars in Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night" and Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie." These seminal American plays delve into the depths of fractured familial relationships characterized by addiction, emotional turmoil, and the inability to escape the echoes of the past. The paper examines how the playwrights masterfully portray the corrosive effects of substance abuse and the battles waged over the interpretation and ownership of shared memories.
It also highlights the autobiographical elements woven into these works, lending authenticity and emotional resonance to the depictions of dysfunctional family dynamics. Through a comparative analysis, the paper underscores the distinct yet overlapping perspectives of O'Neill and Williams in their exploration of the destructive power of unresolved trauma and the fragility of familial bonds.
Keywords: Family dysfunction, memory wars, trauma, autobiographical elements, American drama.
Introduction:
The family unit is often idealized as a harmonious haven of love and support. However, many literary works have explored the harsh reality of familial strife, resentment, and the haunting specter of the past. Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night" and Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie" are seminal American plays that delve into the depths of family dysfunction and the wars waged over memory.Through their masterful storytelling, these playwrights expose the cracks in the facade of the idyllic family, revealing the scars inflicted by addiction, regret, and the inability to escape the echoes of the past.
The Origins of Memory Studies :
The field of memory studies gained prominence in the late 20th century, emerging from a confluence of diverse academic disciplines and socio-cultural movements. This interdisciplinary field examines the complex relationships between memory, identity, and power, exploring how memories shape individual and collective narratives, and how these narratives, in turn, influence societal dynamics.
The late 20th century saw a boom in memory studies fueled by two main factors. The horrors of World War II and the Holocaust demanded a collective effort to remember and honor these traumas. Secondly, the rise of postmodernism challenged the idea of a single, objective truth, paving the way for a deeper exploration of memory's subjective and personal nature.
Maurice Halbwachs, a French sociologist, introduced the concept of "collective memory," in "On Collective Memory" (1925) asserting that individual memories are shaped by the social frameworks and groups to which individuals belong.
Family Dysfunction: A Painful Reality :
According to Mariam Webster dysfunction is, “abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behavior or interaction within a group.” Family dysfunction refers to the breakdown of healthy familial relationships, often characterized by patterns of conflict, emotional abuse, and the inability to meet the needs of individual members. It is characterized by addiction, communication problems, and emotional neglect.
In "Long Day's Journey into Night," the Tyrone family is a prime example of such dysfunction. The play explores the corrosive effects of alcoholism, as evidenced by the struggles of Mary Tyrone, the mother addicted to morphine. Her addiction not only fuels her detachment from reality but also strains her relationships with her husband, James, and their sons, Edmund and Jamie.
Similarly, in "The Glass Menagerie," the Wingfield family grapples with emotional turmoil and unfulfilled dreams. Amanda, the overbearing mother, clings to her idealized memories of a genteel past, projecting her own hopes and aspirations onto her daughter, Laura. This emotional burden, coupled with Laura's crippling shyness and the absence of her father, creates an environment rife with tension and disappointment.
Memory Wars: Battles over the Past :
Both plays delve into the concept of memory wars, where characters engage in a tug-of-war over the interpretation and ownership of shared experiences. In "Long Day's Journey into Night," each family member clings to their version of events, using memory as a weapon to inflict pain or justify their actions.
Mary Tyrone, trapped in her morphine-addiction, retreats into the past, recounting happier times before the family's descent into dysfunction. Her husband, James, and son Jamie, however, challenge her romanticized recollections, accusing her of rewriting history to absolve herself of guilt.
Similarly, in "The Glass Menagerie," Amanda's obsession with her former status as a Southern belle clashes with her daughter Laura's more grounded perspective. Tom, the son, resents his mother's constant reminiscing and her attempts to mold him into the image of her idealized past.
Tom is an artist - the ff Shakespeare of who writes poems in the warehouse. As narrator, he first tells us that "The play is memory. Being a memory play, it is dimly lit, it is sentimental, it is not realistic." It is Tom's memory which is producing the play. Here memory and illusion become one with Tom as the artist.
In Williams' play, memory is both the play itself and a tool to evoke the characters' illusions. In Laura's case, memory transitions seamlessly between present reality and past recollections, shaping her current existence. Memory operates not only as a technical device but also as a central theme, merging seamlessly with Tom's final words. As an artist, Tom sees the play as the embodiment of memory, where theme and technique converge.(Man)
Illustrations from the Works :
In "Long Day's Journey into Night," O'Neill masterfully captures the family's dysfunction through the character of Mary Tyrone. Her morphine addiction is a central catalyst for the breakdown of communication and trust within the family. In one poignant scene, Mary retreats into her drug-induced haze, prompting Jamie to confront her:
"And now, not a single thing is left, except the damned impossible way you've made us live, and how you've driven Papa to—" (O'Neill, Act 3).
In Act 2, the memory shifts focus away from Edmund's illness and his impending death from tuberculosis, like his maternal grandfather. In Act 3, Mary's mention of the memory serves to wound Edmund rather than advance the plot. Similarly, in Act 4, Jamie's allusion to Ophelia's drowning doesn't suggest future resolution; instead, it highlights unresolved issues from the past.
Similarly, in "The Glass Menagerie," Williams explores the strain between Amanda and her children through her relentless pursuit of her faded Southern gentility. Laura, crippled by her shyness and insecurities, becomes a vessel for her mother's unfulfilled dreams. Tom, trapped in a cycle of resentment and guilt, reflects on his mother's delusions:
"She lived vitally by her illusions. She revived yesterday by maniacally reconstructing such a fantastic" (Williams, Scene 7).
Amanda, in Act I, constantly reminisces about her youthful days as a Southern belle with a bevy of "gentleman callers." This idealized past creates a stark contrast to her current reality, fueling both her own dissatisfaction and tension with her children. Laura, in Act II, finds solace in her collection of delicate glass animals, a tangible reminder of a happier, perhaps pre-injury time. These figurines become her escape from the harsh truths of the present, but their fragility underscores her fear of losing this fragile comfort.
Autobiographical Echoes: Memory and Family Dysfunction :
Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night" and Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie" are the plays having autobiographical elements woven into their narratives. Both O'Neill and Williams poured their own lives into their plays. O'Neill's characters in "Long Day's Journey into Night" are basically his family. His mom, who struggled with drugs, became the character of Mary. You can even see this in a scene where Jamie yells at Mary about how her addiction messed everything up. This is just like how O'Neill felt about his own mom.
Williams did the same thing in "The Glass Menagerie." His mom, who wouldn't let go of the past, became Amanda. There's a part where Amanda complains to Tom that he won't get a job. This sounds just like something Williams' mom might have said to him. Because these plays come from the playwrights' real lives, they feel very real and emotional. By using their own experiences, O'Neill and Williams make their characters complex and interesting.
More than that, these plays show how memories can be tricky. They can mess with how we see ourselves and our families. The characters argue about the past because they all remember things differently.
Comparative Analysis :
While both plays explore the themes of family dysfunction and memory wars, they approach these concepts from distinct perspectives. O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night" presents a more visceral and raw portrayal of a family's descent into chaos, driven by the stark realities of addiction and resentment. The play's use of memory is a double-edged sword, with characters weaponizing the past to inflict pain or seek redemption.
In contrast, Williams' "The Glass Menagerie" takes a more poetic and introspective approach to family dysfunction. The play's use of memory is more nuanced, with Amanda's nostalgic reveries serving as a coping mechanism for her unfulfilled dreams and the harsh realities of her present circumstances.
Both plays, however, share a common thread in their exploration of the destructive power of unresolved trauma and the inability to break free from the shackles of the past. They offer a poignant commentary on the fragility of familial bonds and the human tendency to cling to memories as a means of self-preservation or escape.
Conclusion :
Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night" and Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie" are masterpieces that shed light on the complexities of family dysfunction and the battles waged over memory. Through their unflinching portrayals of fractured families, these playwrights challenge the idealized notion of the nuclear family unit, revealing the scars inflicted by addiction, regret, and the inability to escape the echoes of the past.
While the Tyrone and Wingfield families may seem worlds apart, they are united in their struggles against the demons that haunt them, whether through the harsh realities of substance abuse or the weight of unfulfilled dreams. These plays remind us that family is not merely a biological construct but a fragile tapestry woven from love, communication, and the willingness to confront the ghosts of the past.
As we navigate our own familial landscapes, "Long Day's Journey into Night" and "The Glass Menagerie" serve as cautionary tales, reminding us of the importance of breaking cycles of dysfunction and embracing the present with open hearts and minds. Only then can we truly heal the wounds inflicted by the memory wars that wage within our own families.
Words : 1835
References :
Astrid Erll. “The Invention of Cultural Memory: A Short History of Memory Studies.” SpringerLink, 6 January 2023, https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9780230321670_2. Accessed 19 March 2024.
“Dysfunction Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, 7 March 2024, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dysfunction. Accessed 19 March 2024.
J. Chris Westgate. “Tragic Inheritance and Tragic Expression in "Long Day's Journey into Night."” Jstor, https://www.jstor.org/stable/29784852. Accessed 19 March 2024.
Man, Glenn. “Memory as Technique and Theme in "The Glass Menagerie" and "The Death of a Salesman."” Jstor, https://www.jstor.org/stable/40066506. Accessed 19 March 2024.
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