The cause of abbie’s affair in desire under the elms by eugene o’neill

Oleh :
Bernardus Hero Geolantika - C1300007 - Fak. Sastra dan Seni Rupa

Abstract This research is a library research with a descriptive qualitative analysis. This thesis takes the main data from Eugene O’Neill’s work entitled Desire Under The Elms. The researcher is interested much in the psychological issues that is why he analyzes it in the thesis. Since the researcher focuses on the Maslow psychological analysis undergone by the main character, the researcher states the problem from the psychological point of view, especially through it’s main character, named Abbie. The purpose of the research is to find out the factors that cause Abbie to do affair, and to find out what the main character wants in her affair based on Maslow psychological theory. Based on the analysis, it is found that: since Abbie came in Cabot’s family, she was interested in Eben, her step son. Abbie tended to have a sexual relationship with Eben in order to satisfy her physiological needs. When Abbie’s physiological needs had been satisfied, Abbie’s psychological needs emerged, Abbie demanded love from Eben. From the analysis, the researcher concludes that: Abbie always tried to do everything in order to fulfill her desire, She thought that her sexual need would be fulfilled with Eben. In Abbie’s affair, Abbie demanded not only sexual gratification but also love from Eben. The relation between love and sex is powerful and undeniable. Sexual enjoyment will be created when a couple loves each other. Sex without love is just a contact. Sex with a stranger may be exciting, but it can also be humiliating, foolish and dangerous. Apart from it, sex with love is very special sex, and should be done in the context of conjugal relationship.