American literature essay. Literary analysis of works and characters - Sykalo Evgen 2023

Beyond the Horizon: Two Paths, One Sea of Regret, exploring the contrasting ambitions of two brothers and the sacrifices they make, ultimately leading to a shared sea of regret
Eugene O'Neill

The film "Beyond the Horizon" by Eugene O'Neill explores the stormy depths of human desire by following the different courses taken by two brothers, Andrew and Robert Mayo, and the crushing remorse that washes over them in an unrelenting flood. The drama exposes the alluring attraction of unrealized ambitions, the costs incurred in pursuing them, and the unsettling reality of living a lifetime of "what ifs" against the barren edges of reality.

A Crossroads: Selecting Between Land and Sea:

The restless dreamer Robert yearns for the promise of adventure and the wide open spaces. Happy and pragmatic, Andrew embraces the family farm and finds fulfillment in the peaceful rhythm of the country. Their opposing goals set the setting for their different paths, each of which entails a certain amount of sacrifice and the possibility of suffering. Andrew's anchored existence is overshadowed by a gnawing sense of squandered opportunities, while Robert's quest of adventure leaves him adrift on a sea of loneliness and hardship.

Offerings at the Desire Altar:

O'Neill depicts the harsh realities of the sacrifices made by each brother in pursuit of their individual goals. Robert leaves Kate, his childhood sweetheart, to deal with the weight of his longing for the future. For the sake of Robert, Andrew, on the other hand, chooses to marry Kate despite his love for her having been lost due to familial obligations. Their lives were forever changed by these sacrifices, which harmed their relationships and stoked their animosity since they were motivated by mistaken allegiances and unmet aspirations.

Broken Dreams and the Agony of Remorse:

As the years pass, Robert and Andrew are forced to face the disappointment that lies at the end of the paths they have chosen. Robert finds that life at sea is lonely and unfulfilling, with only brief bursts of excitement providing any kind of fulfillment. Andrew feels that his existence on the farm is becoming less and less meaningful because of his obligations and Kate's unstated desire. With them adrift in a sea of "what ifs" and unsaid grief, the piece brilliantly depicts the steady drip of regret and the gnawing realization that the sacrifices made were in vain.

A Common Desolation Horizon:

Robert reappears at the terrible play's climax, mortally injured and dejected. All he has left are bitter regrets as his longing for the water has soured. Andrew must face the full weight of his own unrealized potential and the sacrifice he made for Robert as he comes to terms with his brother's death. The emotional convergence of their journeys before the great horizon, this moment of mutual recognition, emphasizes the universality of regret and the shared human struggle to reconcile dreams with reality.

Resonances of Unfulfilled Dreams: Beyond the Play

"Beyond the Horizon" defies classification as a family drama in order to delve into the age-old human predicament of competing desires and the results of decisions made. The drama by O'Neill forces us to face the price of unmet expectations, the compromises we make along the way, and the possibility of regret that lurks at the intersection of ambition and reality. It serves as a potent reminder that finding acceptance and harmony within the complex web of our lives, rather than pursuing solitary goals, is often the path to ultimate fulfillment.

This essay structure offers a place to begin your analysis. You may improve it even more by:

include particular textual examples to support your arguments.
examining the sea, the farm, and other important components' metaphorical meanings.
talking about how the play was received and how it fit into O'Neill's larger body of work.
examining many critical readings of "Beyond the Horizon" and contributing your own special viewpoint.
relating the play's themes to more general social and philosophical issues.