신화화된 여성의 성과 생 : Strange Interlude론 Strange Interlude = The Sex and the Life of Mythified Woman

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Eugene O'Neill's Strange Interlude is a psychological play about a woman's neurosis. Psychoanalysis interprets the protagonist Nina's psychoneurosis in terms of the sexual pressure of original incest. Nina doesn't resist injustice of man's privilege, tyranny of father's authority, and dissatisfaction with woman's role in society.
Nina's problem begins when Gordon, her fiance. was killed in the war. His sudden death causes Nina to feel lack of self-consciousness. The mythification of woman's sex and life that having a baby only satisfies woman's sex and life controls Nina. Her neurosis is connected with the myth. She marries Evans whom she doesn't love. Her son Gordon's father is not Evans but Darrell who is her doctor. Nina goes on a long life journey with four men : her husband Evans, her doctor Darrell, her son Gordon, her father's friend Marsden. She spends her life with them in peace and in triumph. But as a matter of fact she is not a winner but a loser in life. She always feels hollow and lack of self-consciousness.
Maternity is a concept mythified in modern times. Maternal myth is not only a source of man's dream but can be an illusion in woman's self. In this play Nina often appeals to "motherly god." But maternal myth prevents establishing woman's self. It only deepens obedience to paternal rights. At the point of regression Nina criticizes "paternal god" and can't help accepting her own defeat. She mutters, "Strange interlude! Yes, our lives are merely strange dark interludes in the electrical display of God the Father!"