Plot Summary

Mourning Becomes Electra

Eugene O'Neill
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Mourning Becomes Electra

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1931

Book Brief

Eugene O'Neill

Mourning Becomes Electra

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1931
Book Details
Pages

162

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

New England • 1860s

Publication Year

1931

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Mourning Becomes Electra by Eugene O'Neill is a play cycle divided into three parts—"Homecoming," "The Hunted," and "The Haunted"—that follows the Mannon family, an American aristocratic family, as they grapple with internal conflicts, betrayal, and crime. Lavinia, Orin, and their parents navigate complex relationships and devastating secrets, leading to a tragic decline. Topics addressed include familial conflict, psychological trauma, and violent crime.

Dark

Melancholic

Mysterious

Unnerving

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.1

5,003 ratings

71%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Eugene O'Neill's Mourning Becomes Electra reinvents Greek tragedy in a post-Civil War American context, drawing mixed reactions. Critics praise its ambitious scope and emotional depth, but note its length and complex structure may challenge some readers. The psychological intensity and intricate character dynamics are largely lauded, yet the play's dark themes can be overwhelming.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Mourning Becomes Electra?

A reader who enjoys Mourning Becomes Electra by Eugene O'Neill is likely interested in complex family dynamics, psychological depth, and themes of revenge and fate. Fans of Greek tragedies or works like William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury or Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire would find this play engaging.

4.1

5,003 ratings

71%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

162

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

New England • 1860s

Publication Year

1931

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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