Southern Literary Traditions In Tennessee Williams's Plays

Tennessee Williams's reputation as one of the greatest American playwrights of the 20th century seems secure. Now nearly 20 years after his death, his plays are frequently revived and he continues to provoke critical inquiry. Among various comments, not enough are being devoted to Williams's debt to the Southern literary traditions (In fact, most of his plays are set in the South, and his continuing love/hate relationship with the culture he was born into provides dramatic conflict and excitement to everything he wrote). And this thesis is intended to show how Southern literary traditions are reflected in Tennessee Williams's plays.The unique historical and cultural context of the American South gives birth to Southern literary traditions. The Southern family romance, romantic as well as patriotic traditions have greatly influenced Williams. But when talking about his literary heritage, Williams seldom mentioned the Southern literature. He repeatedly mentioned the influence of three writers-D.H. Lawrence, Hart Crane and Anton Chekhov-among them only Hart Crane is an American. But Hart Crane is not from the South; he is a novelist and poet from New Jersey. However, a writer's relation with the literary traditions doesn't always have much to do with his personal recognition. His body of literary work tells us everything.Southern writers have the inclination of writing about family, and this is partly explained by the nature of southern society. Until the first half of the 20th century, the South is largely an agrarian society. As we know for an agrarian society, family is at the center. Williams inherit this tradition; many of his plays focus on the Southernfamily.One of the most striking features of Southern literature is the romantic tradition We can sense the romantic temperament even among the first immigrants. Williams spent his childhood in the South; this helps to cultivate his romantic temperament Besides he was also deeply influenced by many romantic writers. His creation of a series of romantic characters in his plays best illustrates that he is deeply a romantic.The love for the South runs in the blood of each Southern writer. Though modern Southern writers ruthlessly expose the dark side of the Southern society, they reveal a profound and royal affection for their region. This complex feeling is clearly shown in Williams's treatment of the Southern gentlewomen. In spite of his ruthless exposure of their dreams and delusions and deceit, their affections and pretenses, Williams seems to have sympathy for them. Blanche Dubois in A Streetcar Named Desire is a good example.In a word, Southern literary traditions are fully reflected in Tennessee Williams's plays.