ALS: Tuesday, December 13, 1921

(Letterhead: EUGENE O'NEILL / PROVINCETOWN, MASS.)

Dec. 13, 1921

My dear Mr. Boyd:

Much gratitude for your letter! I am indeed glad to learn that I read a meaning into your criticism which you did not intend. Perhaps I have grown a bit over-sensitive on that one point, so many people have darkly hinted that my "happy ending" proved me commercialized.

Undoubtedly that last act may well be disappointing. Still, darn it, one has to try those things. I think what I wanted to do is sound enough but I must have slipped up somewhere in the doing.

In the new play I'm writing, "The Hairy Ape", I'm going the way of "The Emperor Jones". In fact, it is a much more radical departure from the naturalistic order of things than "Jones". The P'town Players will do it later on, I think, if I finish it in time. I'm sure it will interest you, whatever your verdict.

With all kindest regards,

Sincerely,

Eugene O'Neill.