The Patriarchal Family Neurotic

Focusing on the continuance of the patriarchal family in modern narratives, this chapter explores Dell’s idea of a condition called “patriarchal family neurosis,” in which modern ideologies of family life are continually forestalled by patriarchal habits. Tracing contests over bodily forms and property, Wharton’s work repeatedly turns to the touchstone of Beatrice Ceni’s tragedy, while O’Neill invokes Greek myths to depict the patriarchalism infusing American culture and the infantilization of young adults.