The Hairy Ape is a 20th century play by Eugene O 'Neill that utilizes expressionistic techniques to depict class divisions in America. Classism is an aspect of society that O 'Neill criticizes through the voice of the protagonist, Yank. Yank is a working class fireman, determined to destroy the upper class who, according to him, have no real value in society. He believes laborers are the country 's foundation, even though the industrial era has replaced many workers with machines. The dehumanization of society due to industrialization is a theme in The Hairy Ape that is similar to the dehumanizing effect of technology in the world today. In addition, The Hairy Ape depicts ignorance of the wealthy towards the poor, which is an issue that is
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Poverty is a serious issue that exists in developed and developing countries alike, yet it tends to be overlooked in societies of great wealth. In a country where the rich are glorified and material goods are abundant, people rarely acknowledge or consider where their products and clothes are made. The reality is that many everyday items come from sweatshops, where the world 's poorest are slaving to supply for the rich, while they suffer harsh conditions and earn a meager stipend. In The Hairy Ape, Yank feels invisible to the rich people he encounters on Fifth Avenue, as he attempts to exact revenge on the upper class for what Mildred said to him. Just as the wealthy, high-status population is unperturbed by Yank 's fuss about classism, so are the rich today unaware of the struggles faced by the poor each day. It is difficult to relate to the problems they face, for many have never experienced what it is like to be hungry or thirsty or without a home. Most in the United States cannot say they have been required to work at a young age in order to survive, but "in developing countries, an estimated 168 million children ages 5 to 14 are forced to work" (11 Facts about Sweatshops). Money creates divisions, and this is clearly seen in The Hairy Ape through Yank 's powerlessness against the rich. Similarly, in the world today there are great divisions between the rich and the poor, to the point where two groups rarely intersect. The inability to relate to one another leads to ignorance, and it is an issue prevalent in the world
Poverty is a serious issue that exists in developed and developing countries alike, yet it tends to be overlooked in societies of great wealth. In a country where the rich are glorified and material goods are abundant, people rarely acknowledge or consider where their products and clothes are made. The reality is that many everyday items come from sweatshops, where the world 's poorest are slaving to supply for the rich, while they suffer harsh conditions and earn a meager stipend. In The Hairy Ape, Yank feels invisible to the rich people he encounters on Fifth Avenue, as he attempts to exact revenge on the upper class for what Mildred said to him. Just as the wealthy, high-status population is unperturbed by Yank 's fuss about classism, so are the rich today unaware of the struggles faced by the poor each day. It is difficult to relate to the problems they face, for many have never experienced what it is like to be hungry or thirsty or without a home. Most in the United States cannot say they have been required to work at a young age in order to survive, but "in developing countries, an estimated 168 million children ages 5 to 14 are forced to work" (11 Facts about Sweatshops). Money creates divisions, and this is clearly seen in The Hairy Ape through Yank 's powerlessness against the rich. Similarly, in the world today there are great divisions between the rich and the poor, to the point where two groups rarely intersect. The inability to relate to one another leads to ignorance, and it is an issue prevalent in the world