Wednesday, October 20, 2004

"Warnings" Money Sinks Ships

Once again O'Neill does domestic chaos very well. Nautical Wireless Operator Knapp's family is on hard times.

When the play opens Mrs. Knapp is having hard time just keeping the kids in order. Their older boy is introduced as wearing clothes that he is busting out of.

When the Wireless operator comes home, he reveals that his doctor said that he is going deaf. The harridan comes out of Mrs. Knapp when Mr. Knapp gets a conscience about trying to perform his duties with a hearing impairment.

Knapp goes out to sea with disastrous consequences. O'Neill actually is able to create a gripping scene as Knapp tries to receive wireless reports when the ship gets into some trouble.

Once again the need of money, and the fear of poverty result in destruction and disgrace for O'Neill's unfortunates. Knapps' pleading seems so insignificant once within the dire conditions of a sinking ship.

"I wanted to give up the job this time, but she wouldn't let
me. She said I wanted them to starve - and Charlie asked me for a new suit."