A Touch of the Poet (1942)

O'Neill's Tragic Exploration of Pride and Identity

Written by: Eugene O'Neill
Premiere Date: 1958 (posthumously)
Genre: Drama
Setting: 1828, a tavern outside Boston, Massachusetts

Introduction

"A Touch of the Poet" is one of Eugene O'Neill’s later works, written in 1942 but not produced until after his death in 1958. This play is part of an ambitious, unfinished cycle that O'Neill intended to capture the evolution of Irish-American families in America. A Touch of the Poet focuses on themes of pride, identity, and the clash between old-world values and new-world ambitions, told through the story of a proud Irish immigrant and his family.

Plot Overview

The play is set in a rundown tavern near Boston, in 1828, run by Cornelius "Con" Melody, a former Irish officer in the British army. Despite his current circumstances, Con clings to his romanticized memories of his past glory and aristocratic upbringing, often donning his military uniform and speaking of his past with exaggerated pride. His family—his wife, Nora, who worships him despite his flaws, and his daughter, Sara, who despises him—are caught in the web of his delusions and self-destructive tendencies.

Sara, fiercely independent, is in love with Simon Harford, an American from a wealthy family. The clash between the old-world ideals Con holds and the new American identity embraced by Sara creates tension throughout the play, as Con’s pride and self-image are slowly eroded by the realities of his situation.

Themes

• Pride and Identity: Con's inflated sense of pride from his past stands in stark contrast to his current reality. His struggle to maintain his sense of self is central to the play's emotional core.
• Class and Social Mobility: The play reflects O'Neill's exploration of the immigrant experience and the tension between social classes, particularly the efforts of the Irish in America to rise above their humble origins.
• Generational Conflict: Sara’s rejection of her father’s values and her desire for a future shaped by new ideals highlight the generational divide between the old world and the new.

Characters

• Cornelius "Con" Melody: A former British officer who is consumed by his memories of grandeur, struggling with his loss of status.
• Nora Melody: Con’s long-suffering wife, who remains devoted to him despite his delusions and cruel treatment.
• Sara Melody: Con and Nora's daughter, fiercely independent and critical of her father’s arrogance, she seeks a life free from his oppressive influence.
• Simon Harford: Sara’s love interest, an American with progressive values that conflict with Con’s traditionalist views.

Production History

Although written in 1942, A Touch of the Poet wasn’t produced until 1958, five years after O'Neill's death. The play was the first in what was intended to be an 11-part cycle titled A Tale of Possessors Self-Dispossessed, which aimed to chronicle the Irish-American immigrant experience. Unfortunately, O'Neill was unable to complete the cycle before his health deteriorated.

The play debuted on Broadway and has since been revived several times, with notable performances by actors such as Jason Robards and Gabriel Byrne.

Legacy

Despite being unfinished as part of a larger cycle, A Touch of the Poet stands as one of O'Neill’s most complex examinations of the immigrant identity and personal pride. It is often praised for its rich character development and O'Neill's nuanced exploration of human vulnerability and social ambition.

Quotes

• “There’s a great deal of the poet in me, Nora, though the touch be faint.” – Cornelius Melody
• "You and your damn pride! That’s all you ever had! You never thought of anyone but yourself!" – Sara Melody

Further Reading

• Explore more about Eugene O'Neill’s life and his broader body of work, including the unfinished cycle A Tale of Possessors Self-Dispossessed.
• For those interested in the Irish-American experience in literature, A Touch of the Poet offers a poignant examination of identity and the struggle for dignity in a new world.