The Outbreak of World War II

World War II began in Europe in 1939, but the United States didn't enter the conflict until 1941. Despite not being directly involved at first, the U.S. supplied arms and other resources to support the Allies. In reaction to the war, the U.S. also enacted its first peacetime draft.

By 1941, the German forces had overtaken most of Europe, leaving Britain as the only fully independent nation. Germany initiated a bombing campaign to try and force Britain's surrender. On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The following day, the U.S. Congress declared war on the Axis Powers—Germany, Japan, and Italy. America's entry into the war provided crucial reinforcements and supplies to the British military.

The United States and the War

Throughout the remainder of the war, American troops joined Allied forces in battles across North Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific. After securing a victory in North Africa, the Allies invaded Sicily and later Italy. By June 1944, Rome had been captured, marking the first fall of an Axis capital.

A significant operation during the war was the Allied invasion of German-occupied France. On June 6, 1944, known as D-Day, 150,000 U.S., British, and Canadian troops landed in Normandy, France. By August, these forces had liberated Paris. As they progressed towards Germany from the west, Soviet troops advanced from the east. Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945.

Despite Germany's surrender, the Allies continued their fight against Japan. The Pacific campaign, aimed at capturing Japan, was fiercely contested and bloody. On August 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, followed by another on Nagasaki three days later. Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945, marking the end of World War II.

The Home Front

In 1943, when the play is set, the United States had been engaged in the war for two years. The war effort brought Americans together. Citizens were called upon to contribute in various ways. Families planted "victory" gardens to grow their own vegetables, allowing farm produce to be sent overseas to feed soldiers. Children gathered scrap metal for ammunition production. Women took on jobs in factories that were traditionally held by men who were now in the military. People purchased Liberty bonds to financially support the government's war efforts. Americans were asked to make many sacrifices, such as rationing meat and gasoline. Overall, a strong sense of unity emerged during the war as Americans collectively faced a common adversary.

Social Issues

Although the war effort fostered a sense of unity in the United States, numerous Americans faced unjust treatment. Japanese Americans, in particular, endured severe hardships. Viewed as potential security threats, over 110,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry were forcibly evacuated from their homes on the West Coast and placed in internment camps. Many remained there until 1945. Due to its large Japanese population, Hawaii was instead subjected to martial law.

Not all American officials supported this policy. A Supreme Court justice condemned it as "legalized racism," yet this harsh criticism did not alter the course of internment. Many Japanese-American families lost their homes and possessions. Despite such discriminatory treatment, approximately 33,000 Japanese Americans served in the U.S. military.

Racial discrimination also affected African Americans. While many found opportunities in higher-paying jobs due to labor shortages, some war factories refused to hire them or only offered janitorial positions. In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Fair Employment Practices Committee to ensure that job applicants were considered without regard to race.

Discrimination was also present in the U.S. Army. African-American soldiers were segregated from their...

Exploring Eugene's Perspective

At the heart of Biloxi Blues is Eugene's narrative perspective, shaping the play's unfolding events and themes. Despite the absence of Eugene in pivotal scenes, such as the confrontation between Toomey and Arnold, his perspective remains central. This narrative choice underscores the play as Eugene's personal story—a significant chapter in his evolution into a writer, a journey that Simon concludes in Broadway Bound.

Eugene's Narrative Devices

The play's structure is intricately designed around Eugene's point of view, with his journal entries and memories serving as the primary lens through which events are perceived. Eugene frequently breaks the fourth wall, addressing the audience directly in brief monologues that reveal his internal reflections and emotions. Such narrative tactics accentuate his role as a storyteller, reinforcing the idea that the play is an exploration of Eugene's memory rather than real-time events. This perspective is vividly highlighted when Eugene recounts the fate of other characters, emphasizing the retrospective nature rooted in his perception.

Layered Comedic Elements

Even as Biloxi Blues navigates weighty themes like homosexuality, anti-Semitism, and the harrowing backdrop of World War II, Neil Simon's comedic touch is omnipresent. The dialogue is a tapestry of humor, woven with jokes, puns, and witty exchanges. This comedic lens allows the audience to engage with serious subjects in a way that underscores Eugene's quest to find his place in the world and his identity as a writer. As Eugene ultimately becomes a comedic playwright, the humor within his military experiences serves as a fitting precursor to his future endeavors.

Character Types and Their Impacts

Within Biloxi Blues, the characters, though not deeply complex, serve to embody specific archetypes that mirror Eugene's formative environment. Characters like Wykowski and Arnold symbolize well-trodden stereotypes—a boisterous bully and a quintessential New Yorker, respectively. Toomey is the emblematic army drill sergeant, embodying the harsh discipline expected in military training. Among the female characters, Rowena is the warm-hearted prostitute comfortable in her skin, contrasting with Daisy, the innocent schoolgirl idealized by Eugene.

Some critics have noted the simplification of these characters; however, this aligns with Eugene's reminiscences, where each person represents an aspect of his personal growth rather than existing as fully fleshed-out individuals. This narrative simplification reflects the brief and impactful nature of Eugene's encounters during his ten-week stint in training camp, cementing each character's role as a stepping-stone in his journey.

Structured Storytelling

Biloxi Blues unfolds over a meticulously structured ten-week timeline at a training camp, presenting only the most pivotal events that underscore character development and interpersonal conflicts. The scenes transition seamlessly, creating a cohesive narrative that ties together the characters' individual arcs and resolves earlier plot points. Through this structure, the play conveys a sense of fulfillment, exemplified by Eugene's realization of his initial goals set forth on his journey to Mississippi.

The play's completion is not merely in terms of plot but in Eugene's internal growth, marking his transformation from an uncertain soldier to a burgeoning writer. This evolution, set against the backdrop of camaraderie, conflict, and comedy, illuminates the enduring impact of Eugene's experiences, shaping his understanding of self and the world around him.

1940s: When World War II starts in 1939, there are 334,473 Americans serving on active duty in the Army and Navy. These figures increase significantly during the war. By 1943, more than nine million Americans are on active military duty, and by the war's conclusion in 1945, the number has escalated to twelve million.

1990s: In 1999, approximately 1.1 million active-duty military personnel are serving across the United States and its territories, with the vast majority stationed in the continental U.S.

1940s: By 1943, the United States is heavily involved in World War II, with American soldiers engaged in all major theaters of the conflict.

1990s: During the 1990s, U.S. forces participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions worldwide. In 1991, American troops lead a multinational coalition in the Persian Gulf War to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.

1940s: The U.S. Army is segregated, with nearly one million African-American soldiers assigned to separate units.

1990s: Following the 1948 executive order by President Harry S Truman that ended segregation in the military, African-Americans have served alongside white soldiers in the army.

1940s: In 1948, the United States is home to around five million Jews.

1990s: By 1997, the Jewish population in America has grown to six million, making up about 2.3 percent of the national population, with the highest concentration residing in New York State.

The film adaptation of Biloxi Blues, sharing the same title, was produced by Ray Stark. Neil Simon crafted the screenplay, and it was directed by Mike Nichols. You can find the movie through MCA Home Video.

SOURCES

Berman, Paul, Review in The Nation, April 20, 1985, p. 474.

Brustein, Robert, Review in The New Republic, May 20, 1985, p. 26.

Henry, William A., III, Review in Time, April 8, 1985, p. 72.

Kissel, Howard, Review in Women's Wear Daily, March 29, 1985, p. 72.

FURTHER READING

Johnson, Robert K., Neil Simon: A Casebook, Twayne, 1983.
This book provides a comprehensive analysis of Simon's early career and his plays from the early 1980s. Johnson examines individual works and identifies recurring themes among them.

Konas, Gary, Neil Simon: A Casebook, Garland, 1997.
An exploration of Simon's professional journey.

Simon, Neil, A Memoir, Simon & Schuster, 1996.
In this memoir, Simon reflects on his life experiences and the inspirations that shaped his writing career.