Desire Under the Elms Summary

Desire Under the Elms is a 1924 tragedy by Eugene O'Neill, set in 1850 on a farm in New England. The play explores themes of desire, familial conflict, and betrayal, focusing on the tumultuous relationships between its characters. The narrative unfolds in third person, offering a broader perspective on the emotional and psychological turmoil of the characters. The story reaches its climax when Abbie and Eben confess to the murder of their baby and express their passionate, tragic love for one another. The antagonist, Ephraim Cabot, is a controlling and oppressive figure, whose presence exacerbates the tension within the family. Written during the Modern literary period, the play captures the harsh realities of human desires and the destructive consequences of unchecked passions.

The play begins with a description of the Cabot farmhouse, framed by two elm trees that seem to both protect and dominate it. It's the start of summer in 1850. Eben Cabot steps out, rings a bell, gazes at the sky, then frowns and spits in disgust before returning inside. His older half-brothers, Simeon and Peter, arrive after a day's work, also admiring the sky. They discuss Simeon's late wife and the idea of heading to California for the Gold Rush. They complain about their hard work and consider leaving the farm. They wonder if their father has died, which would allow them to claim the farm. Eben overhears and admits he hopes their father is dead. The brothers then go inside for dinner.

During dinner, Simeon and Peter scold Eben for wishing their father dead. Eben expresses his hatred for their father, blaming him for his mother's death. Simeon mentions something that drives their father, and Eben wonders if it's the same thing driving them to California. Eben points out they lack money and are waiting for their father's death to claim the farm. He insists the farm is his because it belonged to his mother. They argue about who is responsible for their mother's death, each claiming they were too busy to help her. Simeon recalls their father telling him not to leave until he returned, thinking he was drunk at the time. Eben accuses them of being afraid of their father and claims he's stronger than both. Peter jokes, asking if Eben thinks he's Samson. Eben responds that he feels himself growing stronger. He then announces he's going to the village. Simeon and Peter tease him about visiting a woman named Minnie, suggesting they've both been with her, as has their father. Eben gets angry, saying he'll confront her, but the brothers laugh, predicting he'll soften when he sees her. Eben leaves in a better mood.

Early the next morning, Eben returns with news that their father has remarried. Simeon and Peter realize the farm might go to the new wife and consider going to California. Eben offers them money in exchange for their share of the farm. Simeon asks where Eben was all night. Eben boasts about being with Minnie, claiming he took her by force and that she now belongs to him. Simeon and Peter tease him about being in love, but Eben denies caring for her. The brothers decide to wait to see the new wife and the money before agreeing to Eben's offer. They also decide not to work on the farm until their father returns.

Simeon and Peter tell Eben over breakfast that they'll sign the papers once they see the money and that they won't work on the farm anymore. Eben goes out to work, happy they've agreed to sign and that he'll own the farm. Simeon and Peter comment that he's just like their father. They drink some liquor, then get restless and go out to help milk the cows.

Eben approaches them and says he sees their father's buggy coming up the road. They all go back into the house; Simeon and Peter rush to get their things and head out, so their father sees them leaving. Eben gives them the paper to sign, then he pulls up some floorboards in the kitchen and takes out a bag. The older brothers sign the paper as Eben opens the bag, revealing six hundred dollars in gold coins. Peter counts the money, and Simeon gives Eben the signed paper. They awkwardly say goodbye, and Simeon and Peter go outside. They notice their father unhitching the buggy in the barn. They're excited and riled up, and Simeon breaks off the front gate.

Cabot approaches the house with Abbie and yells at his older sons for not being at work. They joke dryly that they were waiting to meet their new mother, then spit when introduced to Abbie. Abbie goes into the house, acting superior in her new role. They tell her Eben is inside, and she seems curious. Cabot calls Eben a dumb fool, and Simeon laughs and teases that Eben is exactly like Cabot, that is "hard and bitter." Then they excitedly declare to their father that they're free of him and going to California. Cabot calls them sinners and curses them. Before they leave, the brothers throw stones at the parlor window where they assume Abbie is. Cabot chases after them, and they disappear down the road singing about California. Abbie appears in an upstairs window and says with a sigh of relief that they're gone. She comments on how nice the room is and asks if it's hers. Cabot replies grimly that it's "our'n." Cabot heads to the barn to check on the cows.

Abbie goes into the kitchen and meets Eben. She says she'd like to be friends with him, but he's scornful. Abbie acts understanding and tells him about her background—that she's an orphan and widow who's always worked for other people and is glad to have her own home. Eben fights against an attraction and sympathy for Abbie and calls her a harlot, yelling that it was his mom's farm and now his. Abbie laughs and says, "we'll see." They threaten each other about how they'll each get the farm. She teases him more about it being her home now and then softly asks to be friends again. Eben is hypnotized for a moment but then declares that he hates her and runs outside. He sees his father and stares hatefully at him. Cabot yells to God in the sky to curse his older sons. Eben cuts in and says, "to hell with yer God!" Cabot scolds him for not being at work, and Eben shoots back that he can't work alone now the other brothers are gone. They both head to the barn as Abbie washes dishes in the kitchen.

Two months later, in late summer, Abbie is on the porch when Eben, dressed in a suit, joins her. She playfully mocks his attire. Abbie tries to seduce Eben, captivating him, but he resists, declaring he'll reclaim the farm from his father and her. As he leaves, Abbie asks if he's going to see Minnie. He responds indifferently, which angers Abbie, who feels insulted by his claim to the farm. Eben walks away until he's out of sight.

Cabot arrives from the barn and asks Abbie if she and Eben are arguing again. She denies it, saying Eben is like Cabot, but Cabot insists Eben is soft. Abbie suggests Cabot is also softening with age. Cabot reflects on getting older and considers accepting Eben. Abbie becomes jealous. Cabot compliments her beauty and kisses her hand. When Abbie asks who he'll leave the farm to, Cabot says he'd prefer not to leave it to anyone. Angry, Abbie claims Eben desires her. Cabot, enraged, threatens to kill Eben. Abbie retracts her statement to calm him, insisting Eben was joking. Cabot offers to send Eben away if she wishes, but Abbie says he should stay to help with the farm work. Cabot agrees but wonders who should inherit the farm. He wants it to be someone of his own blood. Abbie suggests they could have a son. Cabot, excited, promises Abbie anything she wants if she bears him a son.

That evening, Cabot and Abbie sit in their bedroom, while Eben is in his adjacent room. Cabot expresses frustration about needing a son. Abbie tries to soothe him. Eben paces in his room; Abbie listens intently. Eben throws himself on the bed in frustration. Cabot reminisces about buying the farm, facing ridicule because it was all stones and hard soil. He recalls going west to fertile land but feeling compelled by God to return to his farm, believing a hard life was his destiny. He shares how his two previous wives died and, after years alone with his sons, felt guided by God to find a new wife. He praises Abbie's beauty but notices she's distracted. Angry, he says she doesn't understand him and never will. Abbie promises to bear his son. Cabot complains about the coldness of the house and decides to sleep in the barn.

Abbie goes to Eben's room, kisses him, and he responds before pushing her away, insisting he hates her. She desperately offers to make him happy, suggesting he must have feelings for her. They argue about Minnie, with Abbie angrily accusing her of using him, which infuriates Eben further. Regaining confidence, Abbie asserts that he desires her. She announces she'll go to the parlor; Eben, fascinated, tells her not to, as it's where his mother died. She descends, saying she'll wait for him. Eben dresses and follows, calling out for his mother.

A few minutes later, Abbie sits on a sofa in the living room, looking scared. Eben comes in, and Abbie says she feels a presence in the room. Eben tells her it's his mother. Abbie says the presence feels gentler since Eben arrived. They agree that his mother is angry with Cabot but not with Abbie. Abbie asks about Eben's mother, and he describes her as kind. Abbie hugs him with both desire and motherly love. She starts off gentle, then becomes passionate. Eben calls out, asking what his mother wants. Abbie insists his mother wants him to love her. Eben is still unsure because he thinks Abbie is taking his mother's house. Abbie says she loves him, and Eben suddenly smiles, thinking their love could be his mother's revenge on his father. He says he loves Abbie and kneels, hugging and kissing her. This moment changes their relationship and how they understand each other.

At dawn, Eben walks outside, ready for work. Abbie leans out of the window and asks for one more kiss before the day starts. They kiss and joke lovingly. Abbie asks if he loves her, and he says he does. They talk about the living room being their special place, and Eben says his mother can now rest peacefully. Cabot approaches, and Abbie goes back inside. Cabot looks at the sky and says it's beautiful. Eben talks to him happily, and Cabot asks why he's so cheerful. Eben asks if Cabot felt his mother leaving and returning to her grave. Cabot says he slept well with the cows. Eben stays cheerful and heads to the barn. Cabot mocks him, says he's weak like his mother, and spits in disgust before going inside for breakfast.

Late in the spring of the next year, farmers and their families gather in the kitchen. Eben is in his room, and a cradle has been added to the other bedroom. Everyone in the kitchen is chatting and sharing a joke. Cabot is drinking and serving drinks to the men. Abbie sits in a corner on a rocking chair, looking pale and staring at the door. A musician is preparing to play his fiddle. Abbie asks if anyone has seen Eben, but no one has. A man asks Abbie about the baby, and she says it's a boy born two weeks ago.

The fiddler starts joking about Eben, making people laugh. Cabot asks why they're laughing and tells them to dance. The fiddler keeps joking about Eben. Cabot mentions his new son but also praises Eben for working hard. He tells the fiddler to play, and people start dancing while others clap along. Cabot gets excited, dances in the middle, and pushes others aside. He dances energetically and boasts while dancing. The fiddler gets tired and stops playing, then drinks with Cabot.

Meanwhile, Eben goes into the other bedroom, looks at the baby, feeling confused but tender. Abbie gets up and tells Cabot she's checking on the baby. Cabot shows affection, but she pulls away. People whisper around the room. Cabot goes outside for fresh air. The fiddler and others keep joking and whispering. Abbie enters the bedroom with Eben. They kiss and look at the baby together. Abbie says the baby looks like Eben. Eben feels upset he can't claim the baby as his; Abbie comforts him. Outside, Cabot talks about sensing something in the air and the house. He heads to the barn. The music and dancing become more cheerful.

Half an hour later, Eben is outside while the music and dancing continue inside. Cabot comes from the barn and asks why Eben isn't dancing, mentioning the pretty girls inside. Eben responds grumpily. Cabot suggests Eben should marry to have his own farm. Eben sneers, bringing up his mother, and they argue again about who the farm belonged to. Cabot gets angry, calling Eben dumb, and says the farm belongs to him now, referring to the baby and Abbie. He says Abbie told him Eben tried to seduce her to win her over, that she promised Cabot a son, and wanted Eben cut off from the farm. Eben listens, feeling grief and rage, then laughs, realizing her plan. He declares he'll kill her and heads to the porch, but Cabot stops him, and they struggle. Cabot, being stronger, grabs Eben's throat. Abbie suddenly comes out, yelling at Cabot to stop. He lets go, throwing Eben to the ground. Abbie kneels, placing Eben's head in her lap, but he pushes her away. Cabot says he wasn't going to kill him and goes back inside, laughing.

Abbie asks if Eben is hurt and tries to kiss him, but he pushes her away and curses her. Abbie asks what's wrong. Eben starts to cry, accusing her of lying, saying she tricked him by having a son with him so Cabot would think it was his, all to get the farm. Abbie pleads, saying before they did anything, she wanted revenge on Eben for seeing Minnie. Eben, enraged, says he'll get revenge by praying to his mother to curse Abbie and Cabot. Abbie falls to her knees, begging for forgiveness. But Eben, still angry, says he'll tell Cabot the truth about the baby, then leave for California, get rich, return for the farm, and let Abbie and her son starve. He says he wishes the baby was never born and would die since the baby changed everything. Abbie asks if he believed she loved him before the baby; he says yes. She confirms he doesn't believe it now. She asks if he loved her before the baby and hates her now; he agrees. He says he's leaving in the morning to go west. Abbie says she hates the baby if his birth caused this. Eben accuses her of lying, saying she loves the baby and had him to get the farm. Abbie tells Eben she'll prove she loves him. She asks if he would love her again and stay if she could make things like before and prove she wasn't scheming to steal the farm. Eben is moved, says he probably wouldn't leave, but pulls away. He heads to the door, and Abbie yells that she'll prove her love.

Early the next morning, Eben is in the kitchen with packed bags beside him. Cabot is asleep upstairs, and Abbie is leaning over the baby's cradle. She starts crying, steps back from the cradle in horror, and goes down to the kitchen. She hugs Eben and tells him she did something to prove her love for him. Eben, showing no emotion, says he's leaving soon and won't tell his father anything. He also says he doesn't want anything bad to happen to the baby. Abbie doesn't listen and begs him not to leave. She finally says she killed "him." Eben thinks she means Cabot and starts planning how to cover it up, but she clarifies that she killed the baby. Eben is horrified and cries out to God and his mother. Abbie, feeling guilty, says she didn't want to but did it because Eben said the baby was coming between them. Eben accuses her of lying and moves toward her; Abbie kneels and grabs his legs as he rages in anger. He accuses her of trying to take everything from him. He rushes to the door, declaring he's going to the sheriff. He runs outside and down the road. Abbie calls after him, saying she loves him.

An hour later, Abbie sits limply in the kitchen. Cabot wakes up suddenly and dresses quickly. He looks tenderly at the baby, thinking he's sleeping, then goes down to the kitchen. He asks Abbie about breakfast and if she's feeling well. Abbie doesn't move and answers briefly, then tells him the baby is dead. Cabot can't believe it. Abbie starts speaking wildly, saying she killed him and to go check. Cabot runs upstairs and sees the baby isn't breathing. He returns to the kitchen and confronts Abbie, grabbing her and asking why. She pushes him away and yells angrily that the baby was never his, that she hates him and loves Eben, and that it was Eben's son. Cabot, shocked and emotional, watches as Abbie begins to cry. He realizes he suspected something was wrong and then says he'll go to the sheriff, but Abbie tells him Eben's already gone. Cabot, resigned, goes out to work, telling Abbie on his way out that he wouldn't have reported her if she'd loved him.

Outside, Eben comes running through the gate. Cabot grabs him and asks if he's told the sheriff; Eben confirms he has, and Cabot laughs and pushes him to the ground. He walks toward the barn and tells Eben to leave the farm, or he'll kill him. Eben ignores him and goes into the kitchen. He kneels beside Abbie and asks for her forgiveness, saying he loves her. Abbie kisses him happily. Eben explains he did tell the sheriff but then regretted it. He suggests they both run away, but Abbie insists she must accept her punishment. They argue about whether Eben will share the blame. Cabot comes in, hurling insults at them, looking crazed. He excitedly says he's leaving the farm and going to California, that he has the money to get there. He starts pulling up the floorboards but then sees there's nothing hidden there. He accuses Eben of stealing it. Eben explains he gave it to Simeon and Peter. The sheriff and two men arrive. Eben tells the sheriff that he lied and that he helped Abbie do it; Abbie sobs. Cabot says to take them both, then goes outside to work, saying goodbye to Eben and Abbie. Abbie and Eben profess their love for each other and go out hand in hand as the sheriff and men follow. They all admire the beauty of the sunrise and the farm.