The Iceman Cometh is an American tragedy set amidst the desolation of a saloon crowded with the marginalized elements of society. While Eugene O'Neill, the playwright, may not have been the most talented author in his ability to pen the most realistic, eloquent, or beautiful dialogue, he was an expert in emotion. The insufferable depression that bore down upon his works made them, perhaps, a bit uncomfortable, but necessarily so. There was a certain inevitability in his works, as with most tragedies, that drove his characters towards destruction, whether physically or emotionally.
[...] Only a day without the success Hickey had promised them has convinced them that they are destined to remain in this saloon. At least there, there is the comfort of good friends and mediocre whiskey. Seeing his friends' failures, Hickey is angered by their lack of persistence. In his rage he reveals that his wife was in fact murdered and he was the murderer. In some twisted sense, that in the context of the play and O'Neill's work is easily understood, he believes that he saved her by releasing her from the prison he had built. [...]
[...] He rails against the pipe dreams that have begun to suffocate these lonely men. For the duration of his stay he tries to convince these men to abandon the idle hope that has kept them in this bar and encourages them to step out into the world and either realize the dreams they so desperately yearn for, or forsake them and begin anew. Larry, the indisputable leader of this sad crew is constantly defensive when the new Hickey speaks. He even goes so far as to suggest that their friend's newfound attitude is the result of his wife leaving him for another, better man. [...]
[...] Although the last words spoken are those of a drunken song, it is Larry who leaves the audience with a summation of the play. Before he sits alone, staring into nothing he says to himself, “Life is too much for me! I'll be a weak fool looking with pity at the two sides of everything till the day I die! [With an intense bitter sincerity] May that day come soon! [He pauses startledly, surprised at himself then with a sardonic grin] By God, I'm the only real convert to death Hickey made here. [...]
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