Introduction
Long Day’s Journey into Night is by American playwright Eugene O’Neill. The play is semi-autobiographical and tells the story of the Tyrone family struggling with addiction and family issues. The main characters in the play are the father, James Tyrone; the mother, Mary Tyrone; the oldest son, Jamie; and the younger son, Edmund. Other minor characters include Cathleen, the maid, Edmund’s tutor, Mr. Tyrone Sr.’s friend, and others. Overall, the characters in Long Day’s Journey into Night are deeply flawed and struggling with their inner demons, making for a powerful and poignant exploration of family dynamics and the effects of addiction. As the director of Long Day’s Journey into Night, I would cut the character of Cathleen, the maid. If we were to cut Cathleen from Long Day’s Journey into Night, it would significantly alter the play’s overall message. Cathleen is a crucial character who is a foil to the rest of the family, highlighting their flaws and enabling the audience to see the destructive effects of addiction and denial.
The Role of Cathleen and the Possible Impacts of Cutting Her From The Play
Long Day’s Journey into Night’s character development is intricate and nuanced. Each character, including the family members and the maid, undergoes significant changes throughout the play. The character of James Tyrone is particularly well-developed. He begins the play as a miserly and manipulative patriarch, but as the day progresses, we see him struggle with his regrets and insecurities. He reveals his deep love for his family and his sense of helplessness in the face of their addiction and mental illness struggles. Mary Tyrone, the matriarch, also undergoes significant changes throughout the play. She is initially presented as a weak woman, but as she descends deeper into her addiction, we see her become increasingly erratic and unpredictable. Her struggles with addiction and mental illness are a powerful reminder of the devastating effects of these diseases. Eugene and Jamie, the two sons, are also complex and well-developed characters. Eugene, the younger son, is a sensitive and intelligent boy struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Jamie, the older son, is a bitter and resentful young man struggling to come to terms with his father’s neglect and his feelings of inadequacy.
The interconnectedness of the above characters explains why it makes more sense to cut the maid as opposed to the other characters. Cathleen is the domestic servant of the Tyrone family, who is tasked with taking care of their daily needs and providing emotional support to the family members. Cathleen’s presence in the play serves several important purposes. Essentially, without her, the family’s actions and dynamics may seem less extreme and exaggerated.
One of the play’s main themes is the destructive power of addiction, and Cathleen serves as a prime example of this. She is a servant in the Tyrone household, and it is revealed that she is a former actress who turned to alcohol to cope with the disappointment and failure of her career. Through Cathleen, we see the tragic consequences of addiction, as she is a shell of her former self and cannot escape the cycle of self-destructive behavior. Without Cathleen, the audience could not fully grasp the negative effects of addiction and how it can ruin lives. The other members of the Tyrone family are also struggling with addiction, but their privileged status and denial allow them to hide their problems and avoid the consequences. On the other hand, Cathleen cannot hide her addiction, which is a stark reminder of the devastating effects of this disease.
Another theme is the passing of time, which is demonstrated through Cathleen’s character, which serves as a foil to the other characters, particularly to the family’s matriarch, Mary Tyrone. Cathleen is a young, vibrant, and optimistic maid hired to help Mary during her illness. In contrast, Mary is old, sick, and consumed by her addiction to morphine. Through their interactions, we see the contrast between youth vitality and old age’s weariness. Without Cathleen, this contrast would be lost, and the theme of the passing of time and the effects of addiction on one’s life would be weakened.
Cathleen’s presence also highlights the dysfunction and conflict within the Tyrone family. She often witnesses the family’s arguments and tries to intervene, but her efforts are usually dismissed or ignored. This reinforces the theme of the family’s inability to communicate and resolve their issues. Without Cathleen, the family’s dysfunction would not be as apparent, and the play’s message about the damaging effects of family dynamics would be less impactful. Without Cathleen’s presence, the family would likely be even more disorganized and lack domestic support. This could lead to further tension and conflict within the family as they struggle to keep up with the household tasks without her help.
Similarly, Cathleen’s character also reminds us of the outside world and the opportunities beyond the Tyrone household’s confines. She often talks about her plans and aspirations, contrasting with the Tyrone family’s trapped and miserable existence. Despite her youth and low social status, she reveals her inner strength and depth of character. Cathleen remains optimistic and hopeful, making her a poignant figure in the play. Without Cathleen, the play would lack this perspective, and the theme of escape and the desire for something better would be less prominent.
Furthermore, Cathleen’s presence also serves as a contrast to the other members of the family. She is a working-class woman who has experienced failure and disappointment, whereas the Tyrone family is wealthy and successful. Through Cathleen, we see how privilege can shield people from the harsh realities of life and allow them to indulge in their addictions without facing the consequences. Without Cathleen, the play would lose this crucial contrast, and the audience would not be able to understand how privilege and denial enable addiction fully. Cathleen’s presence also highlights the flaws and destructive behavior of the other family members, allowing the audience to see them in a more critical light.
Additionally, Cathleen’s interactions with the family members provide comedic relief and break up the tension in the play. Cathleen, the maid, provides comedic relief in the play through her exaggerated Irish accent and lighthearted attitude. She often makes humorous comments and jokes, such as when she tells Mary she needs to drink more milk to gain weight. She also contrasts the dark and tense atmosphere in the play, as she is the only character who consistently maintains a positive outlook. Additionally, Cathleen’s innocence and childlike demeanor contrast with the darkness and seriousness of the other characters, further highlighting her role as a source of comedic relief. Overall, her presence adds a necessary balance and fun to the heavy themes and emotions in the play. Without her, the play may become overly heavy and intense.
However, one can also argue that by removing her from the story, the focus would be more heavily placed on the central characters and their internal struggles and relationships. This could highlight the intense and intimate nature of the play, emphasizing the psychological depth of the main characters and their relationships with each other. Additionally, cutting Cathleen would also help better convey the play’s overall message, which is the destructive impact of familial dysfunction and denial on individuals and relationships. By eliminating Cathleen, the audience could see more clearly the devastating effects of the Tyrone family’s denial and refusal to confront their issues and how this ultimately leads to their downfall.
Conclusion
Cathleen’s character is crucial to the overall message of Long Day’s Journey into Night. She serves as a symbol of the family’s lost innocence and past happiness. Cathleen is a lively and spirited individual, and her interactions with the other characters provide a contrast to the family’s dysfunctional dynamics. Through her interactions with the other characters, we see the devastating effects of addiction and mental illness on the family and the destructive cycle of denial and blame perpetuating their suffering. Cathleen’s presence also highlights the tragic consequences of the family’s denial and unwillingness to seek help, ultimately leading to her untimely death. Overall, the removal of Cathleen from the play would significantly diminish the play’s overall message about the passing of time, the effects of addiction, and the damaging effects of family dynamics. It would also weaken the themes of contrast, communication, and escape.