The Iceman Cometh
The play begins in the packed back room of Harry Hope’s pub on an early summer morning in 1912. The majority of the diners are dozing off at their tables. Rocky, the night bartender, slips a whiskey drink to Larry Slade, a former Syndicalist-Anarchist.
Larry observes that their group has a “touching credulity” in the future: the pipe dream provides life to the “misbegotten lot.” He, on the other hand, has buried his pipe dreams and retired to the “grandstand of philosophical detachment” to die.
Enters Parritt, a young ex-Anarchist. His associates were just arrested for a bombing on the Coast, and he has gone to Larry for assistance because Larry had an affair with his mother years ago.
Willie recounts his days at Harvard Law School and his industrialist father’s demise. After that is a chorus of each guest’s pleasant memories and pipe fantasies.
Hope did not leave the bar twenty years ago. He is certain, though, that he will go out tomorrow. Wetjoen and Lewis reminisce about their wartime experiences and fantasize about their joyous homecoming home.
Jimmy joins them and promises to return to his previous newspaper work the next day. Joe recalls his gambling establishment and fantasizes about starting a new business. Mosher proclaims his intention to rejoin the circus.
McGloin discusses his impending reinstatement with the police. Rocky’s “tarts,” Margie and Pearl, then appear.
They talk about their pals Cora, another tart, and her pimp Chuck, who had long fantasized about marrying and buying a farm. Hickey, a salesperson, arrives in style and in good spirits. The residents are wary of him.
In Act II, the residents of the bar are furious and nervous as they prepare for a celebration. Hickey is convinced that Larry is the only person who can assist Parritt. Parritt requires punishment in order to forgive himself.
Hickey starts the party, and the audience only half-heartedly joins in. Hope enters and rails at the audience, and Hickey resumes his sermon. Larry mockingly questions if Hickey’s wife will eventually wind up with the iceman. Hickey just states that his wife Evelyn has died.
Act III begins in the barroom on Hope’s birthday morning. Larry is adamant that Hickey has nothing on him. Parritt admits to lying about his patriotism earlier; he ratted on the organization in exchange for money to blow on a whore.
Larry observes that he has not explained Evelyn’s death, which would not be surprising if she committed suicide.
The members of the party gradually emerge, putting up weak fronts of confidence and almost coming to blows when the others mock their objectives.
Hickey enters the saloon and prods the condemned men out. Hope reappears, pleading that a car nearly ran him down.
Larry bitterly condemns Hickey: he has delivered them death’s calm. Hickey loses his cool for the first time, insisting that the shock is just momentary and that peace will follow. Hickey informs him discreetly that she did not commit suicide but was killed.
Act IV begins in the saloon at half past one a.m. the next morning. The group has returned and is sitting like wax figurines, numb to the world. Hickey emerges in the doorway and fiercely denounces Larry.
The crowd thins out. Hickey urges his buddies not to continue their despair in order to spite him. They should rejoice because they have slain their tomorrows.
He was in hell himself until he discovered a method to rescue Evelyn from her fantasy of his possible reformation. Moran and Lieb, two police officers, enter from the back; Hickey has requested that he be arrested.
Hickey erupts, insisting on telling his story, and admits to murdering his wife in her sleep to put her out of her agony.
Parritt, relieved, makes his own confession, admitting that he betrayed Mother because he despised her. Hickey pleads for the electric chair as the cops drag him away—he has no more pipe dreams and wishes to die.
With Hickey gone, Parritt starts begging Larry for help all over again. In his betrayal, he, too, considered retribution. Larry orders him to commit suicide. Parritt expresses his thankfulness simply.
Hope re-starts the celebrations with zeal. The group reluctantly arrives to resurrect their pipe dreams. Larry buries his face with his hands after hearing a crunching thump.
Themes of The Iceman Cometh
Eugene O’Neill’s play “The Iceman Cometh” explores various themes, including:
Illusion vs. reality: All of the characters in the play are caught up in their own illusions and delusions, keeping them from confronting the hard truths of their life. The play asks the audience if it is better to face the truth or live in an illusionary world.
Hope and despair: The drama is full of characters who have given up on their dreams and lost hope. Nonetheless, there are brief moments of hope and optimism that are quickly shattered, returning the protagonists to their sorrow.
Several of the characters in the play are haunted by their sins and failures from the past. People struggle to accept their regrets and helplessness to change the trajectory of their lives.
Alcoholism and addiction: All of the characters in the play are dealing with some type of addiction, whether it be alcoholism, drug addiction, or gambling addiction. Their addiction allows them to escape from the harsh reality of their lives.
Class and social inequality: The play emphasizes the enormous contrasts in society between the upper and poorer classes. The characters are all fighting to find their place in a world that appears to place a premium on wealth and status above all else.
Ultimately, “The Iceman Cometh” is a compelling investigation of the human condition, diving into the complexities of human nature and the hardships we all encounter in our lives.
Characters in The Iceman Cometh
Eugene O’Neill’s “The Iceman Cometh” has a wide cast of characters, but some of the most notable ones are:
Harry Hope: Harry Hope, the landlord of the tavern in which the play takes place, is a former anarchist who has given up on life and spends his days drinking with his buddies.
Hickey: A charismatic traveling salesman who, at first, appears to be a friend to all of the characters before becoming a catalyst for change.
Larry Slade is a former anarchist who has become jaded and disillusioned with life. He mentors Don Parritt and serves as a voice of reason throughout the play.
Don Parritt: A young guy who betrayed his mother to the authorities and seeks penance by becoming a member of the anarchist organization. He is conflicted between his devotion to Larry and his desire for Hickey’s acceptance.
Rocky Pioggi: Rocky is an old buddy of Harry’s who owns a local brothel and is similarly lost in his own fantasies.
Cora and Chuck are a couple that works at Rocky’s brothel and are both struggling with addictions and dissatisfied with their lifestyles.
Different barflies: A cast of characters who hang out at Harry’s saloon and are all dealing with addiction and disillusionment. Joe Mott, a former gambling mogul, and Piet Wetjoen, a former Boer soldier, are among them.
Overall, the characters in “The Iceman Cometh” are complex and imperfect, each dealing with their own issues and seeking meaning in their lives. The play is a profound examination of the human condition and the difficulties we all encounter in attempting to make meaning of our lives.