The Straw by Eugene O'Neill (1922)
The play revolves around the character of Eileen Carmody, a young woman who has been institutionalized for her entire life due to a perceived mental deficiency. The story explores themes of identity, morality, and the blurred lines between sanity and insanity. Through Eileen's interactions with the institution's staff and patients, the play critiques societal norms and expectations placed on individuals deemed "other."
By Eugene O'Neill · First published 1922 · Genre: Drama, Tragedy, Social Commentary · 5 chapters · 41,176 words
First lines
Characters Bill Carmody Mary } Nora } _his children_ Tom } Billy } Doctor Gaynor Fred Nicholls Eileen Carmody, _Bill's eldest child_ Stephen Murray Miss Howard, _a nurse in training_ Miss Gilpin, _superintendent of the Infirmary_ Doctor Stanton, _of the Hill Farm Sanatorium_ Doctor Simms, _his assistant_ Mr. Sloan Peters, _a patient_ Mrs. Turner, _matron of the Sanatorium_ Miss Bailey } Mrs. Abner } _Patients_ Flynn } Other Patients of the Sanatorium Mrs. Brennan
What this Textopian page supports
The Straw is listed on Textopian as a play by Eugene O'Neill, dated 1922 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: Eugene O'Neill
- Date: 1922 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Tragedy, Social Commentary, Realism, Family Saga
- Length: 41,176 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 951 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Straw by Eugene O'Neill
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Straw?
- How does this play by Eugene O'Neill fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Drama first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Other Woman by Madison Cawein
- Anna Christie by Eugene Oneill
- Therese Raquin by Emile Zola
- Let Me Feel Your Pulse by O. Henry
- A Fickle Woman by Eugene Field
- The Tryst by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Genres
- Drama — The play focuses on intense character interactions and emotional conflicts, typical of dramatic literature.
- Tragedy — The themes of illness, familial struggle, and the harsh realities of life reflect tragic elements.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques social issues such as poverty, healthcare access, and family dynamics.
- Realism — The dialogue and setting depict everyday life and genuine human experiences, characteristic of realist literature.
Tags
Drama · Tragedy · Family · Marriage · Infidelity · Deception · Lies · Secrets · Guilt · Shame · Regret · Sorrow
Contents
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE II
- SCENE II