Written in 1919 and performed in Atlantic City in 1920, this play (an early version of "Anna Christie," which was staged on Broadway in 1921) remained unpublished until Leslie Comens recovered the typescript from the Library of Congress and edited it in 1982. Since "Anna Christie" is one of O'Neill's better known plays (and was awarded a Pulitzer Prize), this early version has not received much critical or theatrical attention, but fans of Eugene O'Neill will certainly appreciate it.
The basic plot of "Chris Christophersen" is the same as "Anna Christie": Anna, the daughter of the title character, finds her estranged father in New York City. Formerly a sailor on transcontinental voyages, Christophersen now captains a small barge that hugs the Atlantic coast, always in sight of land. He has sworn off "dat ole devil" the sea, blaming his career for robbing him of a fulfilling life, killing the male members of his family, and causing him to neglect his own wife and children. When his daughter arrives, the former sailor is determined to keep her from falling in love with either the sea or anyone associated with it.
The main difference between this version and "Anna Christie" is that, in the later play, Anna is a down-and-out prostitute who hides her former life from her father. In this version, the roles are reversed: Anna has been raised by a proper British family, and it is her father who tries to clean up his act. Although some scenes and bits of dialogue are shared between the two versions, the divergence is enough to make this earlier draft feel like an entirely different play.
But which one is better? Most would agree that "Anna Christie" is a vast improvement largely because Anna's character is more fully realized. Yet the earlier version (in spite of its rather rushed, lame ending) does a better job, I think, portraying the relationship between two strangers who happen to be father and daughter. There is much to recommend both versions, but what will probably most fascinate fans of O'Neill is the process through which a great playwright resuscitates a play that has merit but isn't quite polished and turns it only one year later into a theatrical success.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Popular titles by this author
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
