In the early 20th century, America was progressing socially and economically thanks to technological advancements. The standard of living improved considerably and people lived in much better conditions; however, women were still trapped in the world of patriarchy during this time. Patriarchy is a social system that “privileges men by promoting traditional gender roles” which presents men as “rational, strong, protective and decisive” while women are “emotional (irrational), weak, caring and submissive” (Tyson 85). Because of such a system, women are indoctrinated into the mentality that they are inferior to men. In the play Long Day's Journey into Night, Eugene O'Neill portrays Mary Tyrone, the female protagonist, who is socially and psychologically oppressed by her family. Her husband, James, and two sons, Jamie and Edmund, try to support her and keep her stable. However, their remedies not only backfire, but make her even more unstable. The play takes place in August 1912; it is a period of peace before the First World War. The period reflects a time of prosperity for the United States, as Edmund says that Harker was "no slave that Standard Oil could trample on", referring to the period of rapid growth of industrial titans such as John D.. Rockefeller (O’Neill 24). Everyone is happy with the economy and many would have stable jobs. However, women had neither a good socio-economic reputation nor the right to vote; therefore they had no voice in the political arena. At that time, women were considered the property of their husbands; for example, if the wife had items stolen, the husband would be labeled as a victim of a crime (gender). When the girl marries into a family, she becomes part of that family...... middle of paper ......elf of the patriarchal society of the early 20th century. The only person who could save Mary from her own illusion is Mary herself; and she must overcome the tendency to use morphine as an outlet in order to become at peace with herself and her family. Works Cited Cahn, Susan. Patriarchal ideology and the rise of capitalism. April 21, 2013. the web. November 13, 2013.Clive, Emsley, Hitchcock Tim and Shoemaker Robert. Gender in procedures. April 2013. The web. November 12, 2013.Mandl, Bette. "Wrestling with the Angel in the House: Mary Tyrone's Long Journey." Eugene O'Neill Newsletter 12.3 (Winter 1988): 19-24. Rep. in 20th century literary criticism. Ed. Thomas J. Schoenberg and Lawrence J. Trudeau. Flight. 225. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Information Resource Center. Internet. November 14, 2013. O'Neill, Eugene. A long day's journey into the night. Yale University, 1987. Print.