Social sustainability in the Hairy Ape

Sustainability has been defined in diverse ways. Sustainable development is perceived as a multi-dimensional phenomenon with economic, social, environmental and political pillars. Since social sustainability incorporates within its gamut how people feel about their relationship within society, their identity, quality of life and well being. The play reverberates with the identity and belongingness, impulse unravelling the relationships within society. Yank, the protagonist, reflects sense of abbreviation in a hostile material world, the play as well takes up issues of social equality and injustice. Three diverse attitudes have been projected. The first is complete acceptance of industrialised society and identification with its features, namely speed and power. Yank, at the beginning of the play represents this acceptance. But this attitude is punctured, when he is thrown into collision with the outer world. Paddy, the fellow stake holder is nostalgic for the world of yesterday and exhibits an escapist attitude to the social question. Long represents the social protest, with an urge to set things right. Mildred's dehumanising insult from the realm of body ‘filthy beast’ is further extended to mind (‘brainless ape') making his exclusion complete. The tragic realisation, "even him didn't tink I belonged… christ where do I get off at ? where I fit in?'(78), spells the dilemma of individual in modern mechanized society. Annihilation of social and mental well being of the mortal defines doom. The play traverses Yank's equation with his fellowmen, the capitalists and resonates with not just the identity crisis but dwells on the urgency to pay heed to social environment for sustenance and development.