An interpersonal perception mode of analysis can provide insight into a playscript, eliminating the protagonist-oriented view of drama and creating a dramatic production with richer texture. Since drama represents its characters' inabilities to process information satisfactorily or to maintain successful interpersonal relationships, all the characters are equally involved and responsible. This may be seen when examining "Long Day's Journey Into Night." The play is replete with examples of the four characters' avoiding confrontations among themselves, dealing with content issues rather than with the process issues which have made their lives wretched. In addition, the characteristics attempt, to a great extent, to shut off abruptly verbal communications by the other characters, thus invalidating the perceptions of the other characters. A recent production of this play in which all characters jointly shared responsibility for the problems forming the drama's matrix seemed a more satisfying experience than that provided by an earlier production depicting the traditional protagonist. (JM)