The Question and Answer section for Desire Under the Elms is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.
Family is not always the best way to find security, especially whn it is extremely dyfunctional and twisted. Simeon and Peter manage to get out, but Eben is stuck at the farmhouse with his Paw and the spirit of his Maw. He is forever trying to...
Abbie enters the story as the poor, much younger wife (I believe third wife) of Ephraim. Her goal is to inherit Ephraim's property for herself, and she has no scruples in her bid to secure her own future. Later in the story, she and Eben move...
There are a lot of similarities to Greek Tragedy and the whole Oedipus complex thing. THe basic psycho-sexual drives of people are examined through Ephraim Cabot, his son Eben, Abby Putnam (Ephraim’s new wife). Eben and Abby both reflect this...
