Strange Interlude: Analysis of Major Characters
"Strange Interlude" is a complex exploration of the intricacies of human relationships and the psychological struggles of its characters, particularly focusing on Nina Leeds. Driven to the brink by the death of her fiancé, Gordon Shaw, during World War I, Nina’s journey reflects her attempts to cope with her overwhelming grief and guilt. After working as a nurse, her subsequent promiscuity signifies her misguided attempt at atonement, leading her into a tumultuous marriage with Sam Evans, whose family history harbors madness. As Nina's life unfolds, she finds herself torn between her desires and her responsibilities, navigating relationships with Dr. Edmund Darrell and later with Charles Marsden, who ultimately offers her a semblance of peace. The narrative also delves into the lives of secondary characters, such as Sam, who grapples with his wife's rejection, and their son Gordon, who remains oblivious to the complexities of his parentage. Through these characters, "Strange Interlude" presents a poignant examination of love, loss, and the haunting effects of past decisions, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of happiness and fulfillment.
Strange Interlude: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Eugene O'Neill
First published: 1928
Genre: Drama
Locale: New England and New York
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: Early twentieth century
Nina Leeds, a young woman driven to the verge of madness by the wartime death of Gordon Shaw, the man whom she was to marry. After leaving home and going to work as a nurse, Nina gives herself promiscuously to the soldiers in the hospital. To Nina's disturbed mind, this promiscuity is atonement for her failure to give herself to Gordon. Finally, realizing that she needs normal love objects to distract her from her morbid obsession with her own guilt, she marries Sam Evans, only to discover that there is madness in his family. Ridding herself of Sam's unborn child by an operation, Nina takes Dr. Darrell as her lover and becomes pregnant by him. When her child is born, Nina settles down in maternal satisfaction. She is happy until it becomes obvious that her son Gordon cares less for her than for Sam. To add to Nina's misery, Gordon hates his real father, who is still a frequent caller on Nina. When Gordon, at the age of twenty-one, plans to marry, Nina, disturbed and neurotic again, begs Darrell to help her prevent the marriage. He refuses and tells her they already have meddled in too many lives. After Sam dies, Darrell leaves Nina, saying that they are haunted by too many ghosts to be happy. Nina marries faithful Charles Marsden, who offers her peace at last in the autumn of her life.
Edmund “Ned” Darrell, a doctor seven years Nina's senior. Concerned with Nina's condition but unwilling to be distracted from his career by marriage, he persuades Nina to marry Sam Evans. Corrupted and embittered by having to share Nina and his son, he allows his career to be ruined. Having grown rich backing Sam in business, Darrell works sporadically and pays frequent, pathetic visits to Nina and his son. Finally, cured of his love for Nina, he begins a new life as a biologist in the West Indies.
Sam Evans, Nina's boyish, lumbering husband. After Nina has discovered the madness in Sam's background and taken up with Darrell, she can hardly stand to have Sam touch her. Stricken by his wife's rejection, Sam degenerates, drifting from job to job and contemplating suicide. After Nina's baby is born, Sam, swollen with pride of fatherhood, becomes confident and ambitious. Grown rich and masterful, he never suspects the truth about Nina. As a final irony, he leaves Darrell a fortune to carry on his biological work.
Charles Marsden, a writer of popular novels, a bachelor some fifteen years older than Nina. He is vaguely disturbed because she thinks of him as an uncle. At Darrell's urging, he advises Nina to marry Sam. He later discovers that Darrell is Nina's lover and hates him for it. At last, after Sam has died and Darrell has departed, Marsden, who has continued to love Nina without lust, marries her.
Gordon Evans, Nina's son. He becomes, like his namesake, an oarsman and athlete. Handsome and strong but shallow, Gordon, in a rage after his supposed father's death, strikes Darrell. Nina cries that he is hitting his father, but Gordon does not understand. He never learns who his real father is.
Mrs. Amos Evans, Sam's mother. Frail but strong-willed, she tells Nina of the madness in Sam's family and suggests that Nina find a healthy man to father her children.
Professor Henry Leeds, Nina's father, a timid and withdrawn professor of classics at an eastern university. Dependent on Nina and jealous of Gordon Shaw, Leeds had persuaded Gordon not to marry Nina until after the war. He dies soon after Nina leaves him.
Madeline Arnold, the girl engaged to Gordon Evans. She resembles the young Nina.
Gordon Shaw, the dead man with whom Nina was in love, killed while serving as a flier in World War I. Both Nina and Sam worship his memory.