USE OF LITERARY ELEMENTS
The structure of “Long Day’s Journey into Night” is unique, to say the least. The audience is brought into a house filled with drunks and a drug addict. The explosiveness of the characters brought about the repetition of an intoxicated person! The characters would fight, make-up, drink, fight, make-up, and drink some more, then have a good cry! -End Scene-
The point of view of the play is third person limited. The audience watches the play with little to no insight to what the characters are thinking. The only insight to what the characters may be thinking is by the stares or quick glances that the character makes.
The dialogue to “Long Day’s Journey into Night” is very important. It is through the dialogue that the audience learns much of the history and insight into the Tyrone’s lives.
The characterization of the cast is both direct and indirect. Their commentary is very helpful in viewing the characters. The cast members will tattle on each other, unveiling each other’s secrets and conceptions, which allows us to see deeper into the character. Their actions also grant the audience insight into their characters. Edmund’s constant coughing, Mary’s quick defensiveness, Jamie’s passing out in the floor, and these are all tell-tale signs of the character’s lives.
The theme of “Long Day’s Journey into Night” is blame. The family blames one another for how their life has turned out. None of them want to accept any type of responsibility.
