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American Literature – 1860 to Present
Table of Contents
Unit 2 Overview: Major American Authors Since 1860
2.1 Mark Twain
2.2 Emily Dickinson
2.3 Walt Whitman
2.4 Ernest Hemingway
2.5 William Faulkner
2.6 F. Scott Fitzgerald
2.7 Toni Morrison
2.8 John Steinbeck
2.9 Langston Hughes
2.10 Tennessee Williams

Tennessee Williams emerged as a key figure in American literature after 1860, bridging Southern Gothic and modern psychological realism. His Southern upbringing shaped his literary voice, contributing to the evolving landscape of post-Civil War American writing.

Williams' major works, like A Streetcar Named Desire and The Glass Menagerie, revolutionized American theater. His plays explored themes of desire, isolation, and societal change, introducing complex characters and innovative staging techniques that influenced future playwrights.

Early life and influences

  • Tennessee Williams emerged as a significant figure in American Literature Since 1860, bridging the gap between Southern Gothic traditions and modern psychological realism
  • His upbringing and experiences in the American South profoundly shaped his literary voice and themes, contributing to the evolving landscape of post-Civil War American literature

Family background

  • Born Thomas Lanier Williams III in 1911 in Columbus, Mississippi
  • Descended from prominent Tennessee politicians, including his namesake grandfather
  • Father, Cornelius Williams, worked as a traveling shoe salesman and struggled with alcoholism
  • Mother, Edwina Dakin Williams, came from a genteel Southern family and influenced his portrayals of Southern women
  • Sister Rose, diagnosed with schizophrenia, served as inspiration for characters like Laura in The Glass Menagerie

Education and early career

  • Attended University of Missouri and Washington University in St. Louis
  • Graduated from University of Iowa in 1938 with a Bachelor of Arts in English
  • Worked various jobs to support his writing, including as a hotel elevator operator in New Orleans
  • Received a Rockefeller Foundation grant in 1939, enabling him to focus on playwriting
  • Adopted the pen name "Tennessee" in 1939 to establish a distinct literary identity

Impact of Southern culture

  • Grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, but frequently visited his grandparents in Mississippi
  • Absorbed the mannerisms, speech patterns, and social dynamics of the American South
  • Witnessed the decline of the Old South and the rise of industrialization, themes that permeate his works
  • Experienced the tension between traditional Southern values and emerging modernist ideals
  • Incorporated Southern Gothic elements into his writing, blending the grotesque with the romantic

Major works

  • Tennessee Williams' major works represent a significant contribution to American Literature Since 1860, exploring themes of desire, isolation, and societal change
  • His plays revolutionized American theater, introducing complex characters and innovative staging techniques that influenced subsequent generations of playwrights

A Streetcar Named Desire

  • Premiered on Broadway in 1947, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1948
  • Explores themes of desire, delusion, and the clash between old and new South
  • Protagonist Blanche DuBois embodies the faded Southern belle archetype
  • Stanley Kowalski represents the new, working-class America and toxic masculinity
  • Innovative use of symbolic names (Desire, Elysian Fields) and atmospheric staging

The Glass Menagerie

  • Williams' first major success, premiering in Chicago in 1944 and on Broadway in 1945
  • Semi-autobiographical "memory play" drawing from Williams' family experiences
  • Introduces the concept of the unreliable narrator through Tom Wingfield
  • Laura Wingfield's glass animal collection symbolizes fragility and escapism
  • Explores themes of abandonment, disappointment, and the American Dream

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

  • Premiered on Broadway in 1955, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama
  • Set in the Mississippi Delta, examining themes of greed, sexual desire, and mendacity
  • Characters Brick and Maggie represent troubled marriage and unfulfilled expectations
  • Big Daddy embodies the dying patriarch of the Old South
  • Controversial for its exploration of homosexuality and societal expectations

Themes and style

  • Tennessee Williams' themes and style significantly impacted American Literature Since 1860, blending traditional Southern elements with modernist techniques
  • His works often explored the tension between illusion and reality, a common theme in post-World War II American literature

Southern Gothic elements

  • Incorporates grotesque characters and situations within a Southern setting
  • Explores themes of decay, both physical and moral, in the post-Civil War South
  • Uses Gothic imagery to create an atmosphere of unease and impending doom
  • Blends the beautiful with the horrific to highlight societal contradictions
  • Characters often struggle with dark secrets or repressed desires

Psychological realism

  • Delves deep into characters' psyches, revealing their inner thoughts and motivations
  • Uses stream-of-consciousness techniques to portray characters' mental states
  • Explores the impact of trauma and family dynamics on individual psychology
  • Incorporates Freudian concepts of repression and the unconscious
  • Characters often struggle with mental illness or addiction, reflecting Williams' own experiences

Symbolism and metaphor

  • Employs rich symbolism to convey deeper meanings and themes
  • Uses metaphorical names and places to reinforce thematic elements
  • Incorporates recurring symbols (glass, light, music) across multiple works
  • Utilizes weather and natural elements as metaphors for characters' emotional states
  • Symbolic objects often represent characters' hopes, fears, or lost opportunities

Character archetypes

  • Tennessee Williams' character archetypes have become iconic in American Literature Since 1860, representing the complexities of post-war American society
  • His nuanced portrayals of flawed individuals challenged societal norms and expanded the scope of dramatic characterization

Faded Southern belles

  • Represent the decline of the Old South and its values
  • Often struggle to reconcile their idealized past with harsh present realities
  • Exhibit traits of fragility, delusion, and desperate attempts to maintain dignity
  • Frequently rely on fantasy or manipulation to cope with their circumstances
  • Notable examples include Blanche DuBois (A Streetcar Named Desire) and Amanda Wingfield (The Glass Menagerie)

Troubled masculinity

  • Explore the complexities of male identity in a changing social landscape
  • Often struggle with societal expectations of masculinity and personal desires
  • Frequently exhibit traits of alcoholism, violence, or repressed sexuality
  • Represent the conflict between traditional male roles and emerging feminist ideals
  • Key examples include Stanley Kowalski (A Streetcar Named Desire) and Brick Pollitt (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof)

Outcasts and misfits

  • Represent individuals who don't conform to societal norms or expectations
  • Often struggle with physical or mental disabilities, addiction, or sexual orientation
  • Serve as a critique of social prejudices and the concept of "normalcy"
  • Frequently seek escape or solace in art, imagination, or substance abuse
  • Notable examples include Laura Wingfield (The Glass Menagerie) and Alma Winemiller (Summer and Smoke)

Theatrical innovations

  • Tennessee Williams' theatrical innovations significantly impacted American Literature Since 1860, pushing the boundaries of dramatic form and presentation
  • His experimental techniques influenced subsequent playwrights and contributed to the evolution of modern American theater

Plastic theater concept

  • Developed by Williams to create a more fluid, expressive theatrical experience
  • Combines realistic elements with non-realistic, expressionistic techniques
  • Utilizes projections, lighting, and sound to convey characters' inner states
  • Blurs the line between reality and memory or fantasy on stage
  • Allows for a more subjective, emotional portrayal of events and characters

Use of music and lighting

  • Incorporates music as an integral part of the dramatic action, not just background
  • Uses specific songs or musical motifs to represent characters or themes
  • Employs innovative lighting techniques to create mood and atmosphere
  • Utilizes lighting changes to signify shifts in time, place, or emotional state
  • Combines music and lighting to create symbolic or dreamlike sequences

Stage directions as literature

  • Elevates stage directions from mere technical instructions to poetic prose
  • Provides detailed descriptions of setting, atmosphere, and characters' inner states
  • Incorporates lyrical and metaphorical language in stage directions
  • Allows readers to experience the play as a literary work, not just a performance script
  • Influences subsequent playwrights to view stage directions as an essential part of the dramatic text

Key Terms to Review (29)

Grotesque characters: Grotesque characters are those that embody bizarre, exaggerated, or distorted traits that provoke both humor and horror, often highlighting the absurdity of human nature and society. These characters typically represent the extremes of human experience, allowing writers to explore themes of suffering, alienation, and the fragility of identity. In the works of certain playwrights, grotesque characters serve as a reflection of societal dysfunction, revealing deeper truths about the human condition.
Plastic Theater Concept: The plastic theater concept is a term coined by Tennessee Williams to describe a unique approach to theater that emphasizes the visual and sensory elements of performance, transforming the stage into a dynamic space where emotions and themes are expressed through vivid imagery and symbols. This concept integrates elements like set design, lighting, and movement, creating a theatrical experience that is as much about the visual representation as it is about the dialogue and characters.
Dramatic Irony: Dramatic irony is a literary device where the audience knows more about a situation or a character's intentions than the characters themselves. This creates tension and engagement as viewers or readers anticipate how the characters will react when they discover the truth. It's often used to highlight themes and deepen emotional responses, as the disconnect between the audience’s knowledge and the characters’ ignorance can enhance the overall impact of the narrative.
Expressionism: Expressionism is an artistic movement that emphasizes the expression of emotional experience rather than physical reality, often using bold colors and exaggerated forms to convey feelings. This approach reflects a deeper psychological state, focusing on the inner turmoil and subjective experiences of individuals, which can lead to a sense of alienation or existential angst. In literature and theater, expressionism seeks to present the world through the distorted lens of human emotions, often highlighting themes of isolation and despair.
Homosexuality: Homosexuality refers to a sexual orientation characterized by romantic or sexual attraction between individuals of the same sex. It has been a subject of cultural, social, and political discourse, often intersecting with issues of identity, rights, and representation, particularly in literature and the arts.
Personal Struggles: Personal struggles refer to the internal conflicts and challenges individuals face in their lives, often related to identity, relationships, and emotional well-being. These struggles are deeply rooted in personal experiences and can shape a person's worldview, decisions, and interactions with others. They are particularly significant in literature as they often reflect broader societal issues and human experiences, revealing the complexities of the human condition.
Pulitzer Prize Winner: A Pulitzer Prize winner is an individual or work that has received the Pulitzer Prize, a prestigious award in the United States recognizing excellence in journalism, literature, and musical composition. Established in 1917, the prize highlights outstanding contributions to American culture and society, often focusing on issues of social justice, human rights, and artistic innovation. Winning this award is a significant honor that can elevate an author's career and public recognition, showcasing their impact on American literature and thought.
Controversial: The term 'controversial' refers to something that is likely to provoke public disagreement or dispute. It often involves topics that challenge societal norms, provoke strong emotional responses, and generate debate among differing viewpoints. In literature, controversial elements can include themes, character portrayals, and social issues that resonate deeply with audiences, prompting varied interpretations and reactions.
Family background: Family background refers to the social, economic, and cultural context in which an individual is raised. It encompasses various factors such as family structure, socioeconomic status, education level, cultural traditions, and values that influence a person's identity and experiences. In the context of literature, understanding a character's family background can provide insights into their motivations, conflicts, and relationships.
The Great Depression: The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted throughout the 1930s, characterized by massive unemployment, a dramatic drop in consumer spending, and significant declines in industrial production. This period deeply impacted American society and culture, influencing literature and art as artists and writers sought to capture the struggles of everyday people during this tumultuous time.
Modern classic: A modern classic is a work of literature that has gained significant recognition and lasting value within contemporary culture, often showcasing themes, styles, and character development that resonate deeply with readers. These works are typically written in the 20th or 21st centuries and continue to influence both literature and society, reflecting the complexities of modern life and human experience.
Freud: Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, a clinical method for treating psychopathology through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst. His theories on the unconscious mind, defense mechanisms, and the significance of dreams greatly influenced various fields, including literature, art, and psychology. Freud's work offers insights into human behavior and motivation, making it particularly relevant when analyzing complex characters in literary works.
Southern Literature: Southern literature refers to the body of written works produced by authors from the southern United States, characterized by themes of regional identity, social issues, and historical contexts unique to the South. This genre often explores complex relationships among race, class, and gender, while reflecting on the cultural heritage and traditions of Southern life.
Alma Winemiller: Alma Winemiller is a fictional character from Tennessee Williams' play 'Summer and Smoke'. She is portrayed as a sensitive and introspective young woman who struggles with her desires and societal expectations in a repressive environment. Alma's character embodies the conflict between emotional yearning and social constraints, making her a poignant representation of Williams' themes of longing and isolation.
Brick Pollitt: Brick Pollitt is a central character in Tennessee Williams' play 'The Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,' representing the struggle of a man caught between societal expectations and personal identity. Brick's character embodies themes of repression, alcoholism, and the search for authenticity amidst family dysfunction, making him a complex figure in Williams' exploration of the human condition.
Stanley Kowalski: Stanley Kowalski is a central character in Tennessee Williams' play 'A Streetcar Named Desire,' representing the raw, primal force of masculinity and the clash between social classes. He is depicted as a brutish, domineering figure who embodies the post-war American ideal of masculinity, contrasting sharply with the delicate and refined nature of Blanche DuBois, the play's tragic heroine. This conflict drives the narrative and highlights themes of desire, power, and the fragility of human dignity.
Amanda Wingfield: Amanda Wingfield is a central character in Tennessee Williams' play 'The Glass Menagerie,' representing the struggles of a single mother trying to secure a better future for her children amidst the challenges of poverty and memory. As a faded Southern belle, Amanda clings to the idealized past and is deeply invested in the success of her children, particularly her son Tom and her daughter Laura, often leading to tension and conflict within the family dynamic.
Tom Wingfield: Tom Wingfield is a central character in Tennessee Williams' play 'The Glass Menagerie,' representing the struggle between personal aspirations and family obligations. As the narrator, he offers insight into his family's life and his internal conflicts, particularly regarding his dreams of becoming a writer versus the responsibilities he feels toward his mother and sister. Tom's character embodies themes of memory, escape, and the quest for identity, making him a vital figure in American theater.
Blanche DuBois: Blanche DuBois is a fictional character in Tennessee Williams' play 'A Streetcar Named Desire,' representing the complexities of desire, illusion, and the fragility of human dignity. As a faded Southern belle, she struggles with her traumatic past and societal expectations, ultimately highlighting themes of mental instability and the harsh realities of life in post-war America.
Laura Wingfield: Laura Wingfield is a central character in Tennessee Williams' play 'The Glass Menagerie,' representing fragility, nostalgia, and the struggle between reality and illusion. As the daughter of Amanda Wingfield and sister to Tom, Laura embodies the themes of isolation and unattainable dreams, making her a poignant figure in American theater. Her relationship with her mother and her own internal struggles highlight the complexities of familial obligations and personal desires.
Desire and Repression: Desire and repression refer to the psychological conflict between human longing for personal fulfillment and the societal norms or internalized rules that suppress those desires. This dynamic is crucial in literature, as it often drives characters' actions and shapes their identities, leading to tensions that reveal deeper truths about human nature and societal constraints.
The Glass Menagerie: The Glass Menagerie is a memory play written by Tennessee Williams, first performed in 1944. It tells the story of the Wingfield family, focusing on the struggles of Amanda, Tom, and Laura as they cope with their past and present realities. The play explores themes of illusion versus reality, familial obligation, and the fragility of dreams, which are central to Williams' broader body of work and the American theatrical landscape.
A Streetcar Named Desire: A Streetcar Named Desire is a seminal play by Tennessee Williams that explores themes of desire, mental health, and the clash between reality and illusion. Set in New Orleans, it follows the story of Blanche DuBois, who arrives at her sister Stella's home, seeking refuge from her troubled past. The play captures the complexities of human relationships and societal norms through its Southern Gothic elements and realistic portrayal of characters.
Southern Gothic: Southern Gothic is a subgenre of Gothic fiction that explores the darker side of Southern life and culture, often revealing the complexities of social issues like race, class, and morality. It incorporates elements of the grotesque, supernatural, and bizarre while often presenting flawed characters and decaying settings that reflect the haunting history of the American South.
Family dynamics: Family dynamics refer to the patterns of interaction and relationships among family members that influence their behaviors, communication, and emotional connections. This term encompasses various roles, responsibilities, conflicts, and alliances within a family unit, reflecting how personal experiences shape individuals and their relationships. Understanding family dynamics is crucial in literature as it often drives character motivations, influences plot developments, and highlights themes of identity and belonging.
Mental illness: Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. These conditions can disrupt daily life and impact personal relationships, often leading to significant emotional distress. In literature, mental illness is frequently explored as a theme, revealing the inner struggles of characters and reflecting broader societal issues related to mental health.
Post-World War II America: Post-World War II America refers to the period following the end of World War II in 1945, characterized by significant social, cultural, and economic changes that shaped modern American life. This era saw the rise of new literary movements, such as confessional poetry, which focused on personal experience and emotion, as well as the emergence of playwrights who explored complex human relationships and societal issues, reflecting the tensions and aspirations of the time.
Symbolism: Symbolism is a literary device where symbols are used to represent ideas, concepts, or emotions beyond their literal meaning. This technique allows writers to convey deeper meanings and evoke certain feelings, creating layers of significance within a text. It often serves as a bridge between the concrete and the abstract, enriching the reader's experience and understanding.
Psychological realism: Psychological realism is a literary movement that focuses on the inner thoughts, emotions, and motivations of characters, presenting a deeper understanding of human behavior and consciousness. It emphasizes character development and the complexities of human psychology over external events, allowing readers to explore characters' internal struggles and perceptions. This approach is evident in various literary forms, contributing significantly to realism, stream of consciousness writing, and modern American theater.