Desire and Repression

Definition

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.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tennessee Williams frequently explores the theme of desire and repression in his plays, highlighting how characters grapple with their unfulfilled longings.
2. In 'A Streetcar Named Desire', the character Blanche DuBois embodies the struggle between desire for love and acceptance and the societal pressures that lead to her downfall.
3. Williams uses symbols like light and shadows to represent desire and repression, where light often signifies truth and reality, while shadows suggest hidden desires and secrets.
4. The tension between desire and repression is a driving force in many of Williams' works, creating complex characters who often face tragic consequences due to their internal conflicts.
5. The societal expectations of post-war America significantly contribute to the repression of characters' desires, reflecting broader themes of conformity versus individuality in Williams' narratives.

Review Questions

• How does Tennessee Williams portray the conflict between desire and repression through his characters?
  • Tennessee Williams skillfully portrays the conflict between desire and repression through complex characters who struggle with their inner yearnings against societal constraints. For example, in 'A Streetcar Named Desire', Blanche DuBois desires love and connection but faces intense repression from societal norms and personal trauma. This conflict leads her to make desperate choices that highlight the tragic consequences of unfulfilled desires.
• Discuss how Williams uses symbolism to illustrate themes of desire and repression in his plays.
  • Williams employs rich symbolism to illustrate themes of desire and repression, using elements like light to symbolize truth and hope while shadows represent hidden desires and fears. In 'A Streetcar Named Desire', Blanche's aversion to bright light signifies her fear of revealing her true self and the repressed aspects of her life. This use of symbolism deepens the audience's understanding of her internal struggles, showcasing how repression shapes her actions.
• Analyze the impact of societal norms on character development in Williams' exploration of desire and repression.
  • Societal norms play a critical role in character development within Williams' works, significantly influencing how characters navigate their desires. The pressure to conform leads to internal conflicts that define their identities and choices. For instance, in 'The Glass Menagerie', Laura Wingfield's repressed desires for connection and belonging are stifled by her family's expectations, illustrating how rigid social structures can distort personal aspirations. This analysis reveals how Williams critiques societal values while emphasizing the tragic consequences of repression on individual lives.

Related terms

Psychoanalysis: A psychological theory and therapeutic method developed by Sigmund Freud, which explores the interplay of unconscious desires and social repression.

Symbolism:

A literary device where symbols are used to represent ideas or qualities, often reflecting the inner desires or repressed emotions of characters.

Conflict: A struggle between opposing forces, which in literature often manifests as the clash between personal desires and societal expectations.