Critical Insights: Tennessee Williams

Introductory essays include a brief biography on Williams and a quartet of original essays provide valuable context for understanding his achievements. One essay examines the plays within the context of twentieth century culture while another traces the playwright’s expressionistic values from his early student play “Me, Vashya” up through Camino Real and appraises A Streetcar Named Desire as Williams’ best realization of this aesthetic. Another offers a meditation on the theme of mendacity within Williams’ last great success, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, as well as within the play’s production and Williams’ relationship with his director, Elia Kazan.