Illusion and Reality in Tennessee Williams’ Dramaturgy Book Review

Dramaturgy Book Review

Abstract

Man has been in constant search of reality. Philosophers,
scholars, writers have all tried to understand and identify its key
characteristics. Apparently it should not be difficult to grasp its intrinsic
meaning. Yet at times reality defies the logical explanations. What is
real for one could well be a mirage for the other. Such is the binary
nature of the concept that only through constant endeavour, we can get a
glimpse of this ephemeral ideal. This article is also an essay in
exploration; albeit it is in the backdrop of Williams‘ dramaturgy.
Tennessee Williams (TW) is a much misunderstood name. Not
everyone likes him. Quite often his works are confused with the type of
life the author led. He was born Thomas Lanier Williams III in
Columbus, Mississippi in 1911. After a chequered childhood, he
emerged as a sensational stage performer whose plays dominated the
literary landscape of his times. The themes that he raised are today ripe
for re-visitation. In this article, it is intended to carry out a textual study
of his key plays which became internationally known for their content,
characterization, story line and popularity. The plays selected from the
rich reservoir of Williams‘ dramaturgy are ‗The Glass Menagerie‘; ‗A
Streetcar Named Desire‘; ‗Cat on a Hot Tin Roof‘; 'Night of the Iguana'
and 'The Milk Train Does Not Stop Here Anymore'.