The Great God Brown
The Great God Brown
Book Brief
78
Play • Fiction
The United States • 1920s
1926
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Great God Brown by Eugene O'Neill, first performed in 1926, follows the intertwined lives of Billy Brown and Dion Anthony, who struggle with identity and personal purpose, using masks to separate their private emotions from their public personas as they navigate love, jealousy, and societal expectations. The story tends toward tragedy and disillusionment. Note: The play contains themes of alcoholism and identity crisis.
Mysterious
Dark
Melancholic
Emotional
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Eugene O'Neill's The Great God Brown is lauded for its innovative use of masks to explore complex themes of identity and duality. Critics appreciate its psychological depth and bold theatricality. However, some find its narrative challenging to follow and its experimental style polarizing. Overall, it's seen as a daring and thought-provoking work from O'Neill.
Who Should Read The Great God Brown?
Ideal for readers who appreciate psychological drama and complex character studies, The Great God Brown by Eugene O'Neill resonates with fans of introspective literary works like Long Day's Journey Into Night and A Streetcar Named Desire. Its exploration of identity and façades appeals to those who enjoy nuanced and thought-provoking narratives.
The Great God Brown was first performed in 1926 and is known for its innovative use of masks to convey the duality and complexity of human identity and emotions.
Eugene O'Neill's incorporation of masks in The Great God Brown reflects his interest in the psychological theories of the time, drawing inspiration from Carl Jung's ideas about the persona and shadow.
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The play won the 1927 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and it is often praised for its exploration of themes like identity, success, and the conflict between one's public and private selves.
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78
Play • Fiction
The United States • 1920s
1926
Adult
18+ years
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