02419cam a22003253u 4500 4015 UtSlPG 20260610133120.0 m cr n 260607r2003||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS O'Neill, Eugene, 1888-1953 The Hairy Ape Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2003 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2003-05-01 Produced by Charles Franks, Robert Rowe and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. HTML version by Al Haines. "The Hairy Ape" by Eugene O'Neill is a play written in the early 20th century that delves into themes of identity, class struggle, and the search for belonging. Centered around the character Robert Smith, known as "Yank," the narrative explores the life of coal stokers aboard a transatlantic liner, juxtaposed against the opulence of the upper class, which is epitomized by the character Mildred Douglas. As Yank grapples with his identity and feeling of alienation, the play offers a critical examination of the human condition and societal divisions. The opening of the play introduces us to the stokehole of the ship, where Yank and his fellow workers live and work in squalor and camaraderie. The scene is filled with chaotic energy, underscoring the oppressive environment and the men’s need to drown their despair in alcohol and bravado. Yank emerges as a powerful figure among the stokers, consumed by pride in his physical strength as he sees himself as essential to the ship’s operation. The scene unveils the stark contrast between Yank’s raw, animalistic vigor and the disdainful barrier represented by Mildred, who later observes the firemen and recoils in horror at Yank’s brute appearance. This encounter sets in motion Yank's journey of existential questioning as he strives to assert his place in a world that seems to reject him. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Social classes -- Drama New York (N.Y.) -- Drama Unskilled labor -- Drama https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4015 46061 46061