Determinism in Eugene O’Neill’s Dynamo

Abstract

This dissertation entitled “Determinism in Eugen O’Neill’s Dynamo” examines the impact of heredity and environment upon human beings in Eugene O’Neill’s Dynamo. The play concentrates on its central character, Reuben Light, whose thought, behaviour and life as a whole are controlled and determined by these indispensable forces. The influence of these forces is so pervasive and compelling that his endeavor to shape his life and effort to make desired things happen remains futile. He is engulfed in a terrible impasse of circumstances where the questions of ethical choice, personal judgment and free will are crushed down and his attempt to overcome the unavoidable influences becomes disastrous. The raw and unpleasant experience and antagonistic living atmosphere ‘degrades’ his behaviours in his struggle to survive, leading him to insanity which ultimately results in the violent and heinous act of murder and suicide.