Nobel Prize For Literature
On November 27, we remember the life and death of Eugene O’Neill. As writers we are influenced by those who came before us – most certainly to include this great playwright who passed away in 1953. He was a master of American theater who made many positive contributions to the art and culture of his country and the world at large.
We learn from the body of works of this great writer – and we’re indebted to him for the way he inspires us and countless other writers to this day – 70 years after his passing. O’Neill introduced psychological and social realism to the American stage, exploring the inner conflicts and struggles of his characters with honesty and depth. He drew inspiration from his own personal and family experiences, as well as from Greek tragedy, modern drama, and psychoanalysis. He created complex and realistic characters who faced moral dilemmas, spiritual crises, and existential questions.
In Adam in Taoland and in the two novels that follow, we write of the various crises faced by Adam and Tariana throughout their journeys. We explore their challenges and conflicts in Taoland, a far off place in the Universe a millennium into the future – knowing that such challenges are timeless. They have been reported throughout recorded history – and will undoubtedly continue throughout the remainder of human life on our planet – as each of us constantly searches for true meaning and purpose.
As O’Neill did, we draw from our own personal and family backgrounds, people who were or are important in our journeys, as well as past important works of fantasy and history. Eugene is a giant in literature, and we draw on his writings as well, grateful for his legacy.
Eugene O’Neill was clearly ahead of his times. He experimented with various forms and techniques of drama including expressionism, symbolism, masks, flashbacks, monologues, and asides. He was the first to use American vernacular language and slang to capture the authentic voices of his characters, especially those who were marginalized by society, including immigrants, workers, prostitutes, and African Americans.This allowed him to in a sense draw his audiences right up onto the stage with the actors.
O’Neill won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1936, the first and only American playwright to ever receive this honor. He also won four Pulitzer Prizes for his plays Beyond the Horizon, Anna Christie, Strange Interlude, and Long Day’s Journey into Night. Wow! What an impressive body of work in these four alone.
Eugene O’Neill is widely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike as one of the greatest dramatists of the 20th century. He inspired generations of playwrights, filmmakers, actors, and writers who followed him. His influence can be seen in the works of Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, Sam Shepard, Martin Scorsese, Marlon Brando, and many others. His plays have been adapted into films, television shows, operas, musicals, and even ballets.
If we could ever leave a legacy 0.1% as important as what O’Neill gifted the world with, we would be overjoyed in making such a contribution. His works epitomize what our “Inspirations” are all about – and why we provide them in this book.
