Sparknotes the hairy ape. The Hairy Ape (SparkNotes Literature Guide) by SparkNotes 2022-12-19

Sparknotes the hairy ape Rating: 4,3/10 1421 reviews

"The Hairy Ape" is a play written by American playwright Eugene O'Neill in 1922. It tells the story of Yank, a brutish, uneducated stoker who works in the furnace room of a transatlantic liner. The play follows Yank as he searches for a sense of belonging and purpose in a world that sees him as nothing more than a machine.

At the start of the play, Yank is content with his role as a stoker, and he takes pride in the physical labor that he performs. However, his sense of self-worth is shattered when he is confronted by Mildred Douglas, a wealthy socialite who looks down on him as a "hairy ape." Yank is deeply offended by Mildred's insult and becomes determined to prove that he is more than just a beast.

In his quest to prove his worth, Yank embarks on a journey that takes him from the depths of the ship's furnace room to the upper echelons of society. Along the way, he encounters a range of characters who represent different facets of the human experience. There is the cruel and selfish Paddy, who exploits Yank's labor for his own gain; the sympathetic Long, who tries to help Yank understand his place in the world; and the enigmatic Slim, who seems to understand Yank's pain and longing.

As Yank struggles to find his place in the world, he becomes increasingly aware of the social and economic divisions that separate people. He realizes that his status as a "hairy ape" is not just a matter of appearance, but is also tied to his position in the social hierarchy. Despite this, Yank remains determined to prove his worth and to find a place where he belongs.

In the end, Yank's journey ends in tragedy as he is killed trying to escape from a zoo, where he has been placed on display as a curiosity. His death serves as a powerful metaphor for the way in which society dehumanizes and objectifies those who are deemed to be different or inferior.

Overall, "The Hairy Ape" is a thought-provoking and powerful play that explores themes of belonging, identity, and the dehumanizing effects of class distinctions. It is a thought-provoking and powerful work that speaks to the timeless themes of human experience.

The Hairy Ape Summary

sparknotes the hairy ape

He became ill with tuberculosis in his early twenties, after which he decided to dedicate himself to writing full-time. Rather than focusing on uniting with his fellow laborers to combat the broad capitalist structures of oppression, he resorts to animalistic forms of brute strength and physical power. Save up to 80% versus print by going digital with VitalSource. Contradictory to that statement, other critics find the end of The Hairy Ape too simple and predictable. Geared to what today's students need to know, SparkNotes provide: Chapter-by-chapter analysis Explanations of key themes, motifs, and symbols A review quiz and essay topics Lively and accessible, these guides are perfect for late-night studying and writing papers.


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The Hairy Ape Themes

sparknotes the hairy ape

When he lets the gorilla out, though, the animal squeezes him so hard that his back snaps, and then the large creature tosses him into the cage. Off-duty men are talking and singing drunkenly. In the absence of adequate reasoning and logical cognition, he turns to violence and… The Hairy Ape takes place during a time of change, when the industrial revolution was still altering the way the world operated. If the author of the SparkNotes is known, they should be the first author. All of the men take notice of and are stunned by the sight of Mildred, except for Yank. Arguing that this kind of work was hard but rewarding, Paddy frames the stokehole as exploitative and unfulfilling.

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The Hairy Ape

sparknotes the hairy ape

Yank meanwhile has been savagely cursing the engineers whom he has his back turned to; when he turns around, he is shocked to see Mildred, as is Mildred by him. Yank now feels abandoned by all groups. Using a barrage of alienating mechanical noises, Treadwell depicts the negative effects that technological advancement can have on human beings. Yank is infuriated at Mildred for claiming that he resembles a hairy ape. The local members are happy to have him in their ranks at first because not many ship's firemen have joined. The play was admired for its originality and robustness, which only The Hairy Ape and All God's Chillen were stated for.

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The Hairy Ape by Eugene O’Neill Plot Summary

sparknotes the hairy ape

Giving up on the idea of finding Mildred, Yank tries to pick fights with wealthy passersby, but nobody even acknowledges him, and Long decides to go home because he knows Yank is going to get them in trouble. Churchgoers begin to come out onto the street and Yank begins to forcefully try to speak to them. Do not put the author of the ORIGINAL work first. More than 15 million users have used our Bookshelf platform over the past year to improve their learning experience and outcomes. He is a leader among the other workers and finds himself rebelling against the authoritarian upper class he feels does not appreciate his hard work.

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The Hairy Ape (SparkNotes Literature Guide Series) by SparkNotes

sparknotes the hairy ape

Still obsessed with avenging himself against Mildred, Yank rudely accosts several churchgoers who come out into the streets as Long flees the scene. However, Yank keeps alluding to the idea that the IWW has secret schemes to blow up companies like Nazareth Steel, and this aggravates the secretary, who orders the men hanging around the office to throw Yank out. VitalSource is the leading provider of online textbooks and course materials. SCENE 7 After being released from prison, Yank visits the IWW office to become a member. After the insult, it became evident to Yank just what little worth he was to them, thus inciting his rebellion against them. In almost every description, Yank is shown as a Neanderthal that barges around yelling orders and swearing. He is then arrested.

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The Hairy Ape (SparkNotes Literature Guide) by SparkNotes

sparknotes the hairy ape

Her aunt does not understand why Mildred desires to help the poor. If you want to get back at that dame, you better join the Wobblies. Finally, after accosting multiple people, Yank slams into a wealthy gentleman. His struggle fails before it even begins. For instance, Paddy—a jaded stoker who works alongside Yank—yearns for the past because the hellish conditions of his working environment are the…. The secretary who works inside gives him pamphlets and welcomes him in a friendly manner.


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The Hairy Ape (SparkNotes Literature Guide)

sparknotes the hairy ape

SCENE 2 We meet SCENE 3 Mildred and the Second and Fourth Engineers have descended into the stokehole where Yank and the other men are stoking the furnace that feeds the ship's motion. Yank releases the gorilla from behind its bars and approaches the animal to shake its hand. Yank is mulling over the incident in the stokehole. A policeman shows up and tells Yank to move on or he'll crack him over the head. The gorilla tosses Yank into its cage where Yank dies behind bars. The men argue about how to go after and attack the upper class, and Yank is still set on getting Mildred back.

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The Hairy Ape Study Guide

sparknotes the hairy ape

There were also a number of improvements made to large ocean liners during this time, though these boats still used steam power and, thus, still required people like Yank to shovel coal into furnaces. Proletarians keep orf the grass! If the author of the SparkNotes is known, they should be the first author. Two days later, Mildred—the daughter of a steel tycoon—sits above deck with her aunt and looks out at the sea. He presents his readers with a protagonist that exhibits almost every facet of what it means to be masculine. The Digital and eTextbook ISBNs for The Hairy Ape SparkNotes Literature Guide are 9781411475359, 1411475356 and the print ISBNs are 9781411493124, 1411493125. Why de hell not? The gorilla then attacks Yank, crushing his ribs. SCENE 6 The night of the following day, Yank is in prison on Blackwell Island.

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