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Theme Of Desire Under The Elms

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This thesis is written in an attempt to analyze the symbolic meanings of the “elms” in Desire Under the Elms from possible angles. The two elms show up at the very beginning of the play, impressing us with “a sinister maternity in their aspect, a crushing, jealous absorption.”(O’Neill, 1925:1)
One of the themes in this play is the Oedipus complex coined by Freud, revealed through Eben’s obsession with his mother. His addiction to her even brings about the hatred for both his father and brothers, who all seem to be responsible for his mother’s death from Eben’s point of view. It is exactly the Oedipus complex deeply rooted in his unconsciousness again makes him an easy prey for mature and feminine woman like prostitute Minnie or his stepmother …show more content…

The root of the elm buries itself deeply in the ground and reaches out for anything that will satisfy its need, symbolizing the concealed part of the unconscious mind, the instinctual drives and the source of desires and impulses. In the story, the protagonists are all seized by the strong and ungovernable desire. Eben’s half brothers expects freedom and the chance to leave the land and head for California. Eben indulges himself in maternal love, for which the departure of his mother leads to his anxiety and insecurity as well as his obsession with her possession, the land and the parlor. Abbie pursue a complete control of the farmhouse as well as Eben’s love. And it is her id entices her to murder the baby in order to win back Eben’s love, blinding her guilt and her love for her own baby. Cabot shows an ambition of achieving something great, hoping to acquire both wealth, love and respect, with an eagerness to run away from terrible loneliness. All of the portrayals of these characters accord closely with the title: Desire Under the Elms. Those desires are intangible. However, through the conflicts of the story, we are able to feel it, relive it or even smell

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