Plot summary, “Mourning Becomes Electra” by Eugene O'Neill in 5 Minutes - Book Review

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Published on November 13, 2024 12:00:00 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8bohXPWO20

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Mourning Becomes Electra is a 1931 play cycle by Eugene O'Neill that reimagines the Greek tragedy Oresteia within the context of an American aristocratic family, the Mannons. The three plays—Homecoming, The Hunted, and The Haunted—chronicle the family's decline amidst infidelity, murder, and incest. The drama begins with Lavinia Mannon confronting her mother's affair, which leads to the death of her father, Ezra. As the family unravels, Lavinia and her brother Orin struggle with their own dark desires and guilt, ultimately leading to Orin's suicide. The cycle portrays themes of personal suffering, cyclical tragedy, and self-destruction.