"Mourning becomes Electra"

"Mourning becomes Electra" - Eugene O'Neill

“Mourning becomes Electra” is a play by Eugene O’Neill written in 1931. The Play is psychologically very rich. The two complexes are highlighted in the play: Oedipus complex and Electra complex. It was performed 159 times in theatre.

The plot of the play was inspired by a Greek tragedy ‘Orestia’ written by Aschyllus. ‘Mourning becomes Electra’ is modern version of ‘Orestia’.

Thought the plot and the story line are similar, there are many differences.

Ezra Menon is a soldier at war and dies as the play begins. The death is not natural or we are not aware of the reason of his death.

Then Orin Menon, son of Ezra and Christine returns from the war. It was opened to him by Lavinia that she saw Christine kissing Adam Brant- who resembles in looks to all Menons. So, Orin shoots Adam Brant. Orin kills Adam because he wanted love of his mother.

The title refers to Lavinia as she is the protagonist of this play. And she is the alone who is left alone and eventually she dies.

The reason for the death of the characters is due to fate, but O’Neill rationalises the events and connects it with psychology.

Reference:-

https://sites.google.com/site/nimeshdaveeportfolio/home/m-a-texts/mourning-becomes-electra

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mourning_Becomes_Electra

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