Fantasy and Realism in the Subalternized Characters of Tennessee Williams

Abstract

The paper proposes to investigate the elements of illusion and reality in the realm of subalternism in the characters of Laura Wingfield, Amanda Wingfield from Glass Menagerie (1944) and Blanche Dubois from A Street Car Named Desire (1947. As can be seen, the plays from which characters are chosen were written at different periods in Williams’ writing career when he was at the peak of his dramatic powers. Moreover, both these plays drew a lot of critical attention at the time that they were performed first. The fact that more than half a century has elapsed since they first came to light has neither diminished nor dimmed their dramatic power or relevance or appeal to audiences and scholars all over the world.