Edmund's Poetry Lines

[mmazzucco9]

"In Long Days Journey into Night" it was apparent that Edmund was fascinated by poetry. Many of his quotes were pessimistic and added to the melancholy present in the play. I've been thinking that such statements by Edmund could be implemented in order to demonstrate his eventual demise, as well as the family's, and the fact that the family is forever trapped in a "Grand Illusion". Does anyone else feel this way?

[nzahorodny09]

I would definitely agree that Edmund's propensity for morbid poetics bears a certain significance that extends beyond the peculiarities of his personality.

As you allude to in the post above, his lamentations are undoubtedly expressive, not only of his own morose nature, but also of the sickness and the sorrow that plague the family as a whole. Although the philosophical sentiments echoed by Edmund were written with the intention of liberating the reader, they serve no such purpose in the Tyrone household. Rather, they only ensure that hopelessness and cynicism become more deeply ingrained in the fabric of the family. Therein lies, therefore, O'Neil's denunciation of the works quoted by Edmund as the repository of the darkness and the despair of his age. Men like Nietzsche have not empowered their fellow human beings, but merely encouraged the development of feelings of futility in the modern consciousness.

Also, I find of particular interest your use of the phrase "to demonstrate his eventual demise" in reference to the purpose of Edmund's poetry. I am uncertain as to whether this implication was yours originally, but the comment does suggest, on some level, that Edmund's recitations possesses prophetic value. If one considers Shakespeare's three witches, or even the Sibylline oracles of ancient Greece, there does appear to exist in the history of literature a strong connection between poetry and prophecy. Indeed, chants, incantations, and verse do not infrequently distinguish speech marked by supernatural foresight. I do not suggest here that Edmund is clairvoyant, but only that O'Neil subtly draws on this recurring pattern to emphasize, as you pointed out above, the inevitability of the Tryones' downfall.

Your reference, though, to the "Grand Illusion" by Styx, I find somewhat confusing. According to Wikipedia, the lead singer of Styx uses the term "Grand Illusion" to refer to the "self-deluding superficiality" that permeates modern society. Undoubtedly, it may be argued that the Tyrones are self-deluding, and yet, I'm not sure that it would be appropriate to brand them as superficial. Perhaps, though, you have looked into this issue more deeply than I and found an alternative explanation?

[mmazzucco9]

Nick. I find your analysis to be very interesting. I agree with your points. As for the phrase "to demonstrate his eventual demise" that is my own thought. I feel as if Edmund is forever stuck in this dysfunctional Tyrone. As one can see, Edmund is different than everyone else. Jamie goes so far as to wish for Edmund's success, albeit in Jamie's statement he also wants to stab Edmund in the back, however one can see that there is hope. In my mind I feel as if this hope is too slim and Edmund will succumb to his consumption or some other form of death. I think your point concerning the witches or oracles is quite interesting and poses a nice connection.

As for my reference to "Grand Illusion", there is no meaning behind quoting the song rather than the fact that I had recently heard it and I was about to use those words so I thought Why Not. However, the information you researched is quite interesting.