The Hairy Ape

"The Hairy Ape" is a 1922 play by Eugene O'Neill that explores themes of class struggle, identity, and alienation in industrial society. It follows Yank, a coal stoker on a transatlantic ocean liner, who becomes increasingly aware of his social status and the divide between the working class and the wealthy. As Yank confronts his place in the world, he grapples with feelings of powerlessness and rage. The play uses powerful imagery and symbolism to critique the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and questions what it means to belong in a rapidly changing society.