The play “Orpheus Descending” was first presented on Broadway in 1957 where it only had a short run with modest success; it was almost universally condemned by critics. The play is a rewrite of an earlier play by Williams called “Battle of Angels”. In 1940 the Theatre Guild had produced “Battle of Angels” in Boston but it had been very poorly received. The play was withdrawn after Boston’s “Watch and Ward Society” had banned it. The reason for this lay within the explosive topics it deals with such as racism, (suppressed) sexuality, adultery, corruption and murder. Even tough Williams rewrote his play several times and worked on it for 17 years, “Orpheus Descending” too, was harshly criticized and widely considered a failure.
Nevertheless, the play has been made into a movie twice: The first movie version was titled “The Fugitive Kind” (1959) and directed by Sidney Lumet and Tennessee Williams himself. Starring actors were Marlon Brando, Joanne Woodward and Anna Magnani. The second movie version is a TV production from 1990 and bears the name of the play “Orpheus Descending”. It is directed by British theatre and film director Peter Hall, starring Vanessa Redgrave and Kevin Anderson.
Tennessee Williams drama “Orpheus Descending” involves a lot of aspects that can also be discovered in his more popular plays.
Table of Contents
1. the plot
2. time and place (in the play)
3. the main characters of the play
4. symbolism, the Orpheus legend
5. style
6. summary and interpretation
Objectives & Topics
This thesis examines Tennessee Williams' drama "Orpheus Descending," analyzing the interplay between characters, symbolism, and societal constraints to understand the themes of repressed passion, memory, and the search for freedom in a conventionalized Southern setting.
- Analysis of the plot and the significance of setting within the American South.
- Character studies focusing on Val Xavier and Lady Torrance.
- Examination of the Orpheus legend as a structural and thematic framework.
- Exploration of Southern Gothic stylistic elements and cinematic influence.
- Interpretation of the play's critical view on sex, religion, and societal conformity.
Excerpt from the Book
3. The play involves 21 characters but the focus is on the gently evolving affair between Lady Torrance and Val Xavier.
Therefore it is essential for any further interpretation to take a look at their characters first: Val is 30 years old and a man with an eventful past life. He bears the nickname “Snakeskin” because during his “wild times” he was always wearing a snakeskin jacket. Val has been a wanderer who has enjoyed easy living, gambling and women. However, he has sworn off his wild ways and is searching for a new perspective in life; he wants to settle down and to do something steady. He is honest and willing to leave his past behind. Val is “manly” and of animal attraction to half the women in town. However, he is not interested in affairs anymore. Val refers to his guitar as his “life companion”; and he treats his guitar with tenderness as the stage directions suggest: “He holds his guitar with a specially tender concentration, and strikes a soft chord on it.” His music calms him down when he is angry and gives him hope when he is hopeless (“It washes me clean like water when anything unclean has touched me…”) – and it also opens the heart of women who hear him play: “I’d love to hold something, with such – tender protection! I’d love to hold you that way, with the same – tender protection!”, Carol tells him.
Chapter Summary
1. the plot: This section provides a synopsis of the narrative, detailing the arrival of Val Xavier in a small Southern town and his doomed relationship with Lady Torrance.
2. time and place (in the play): This chapter contextualizes the play within the early 1950s, highlighting the impact of the Great Depression, World War II, and the conservative atmosphere of the American South.
3. the main characters of the play: This chapter analyzes the primary figures, specifically Val Xavier, Lady Torrance, David Cutrere, Carol Cutrere, and the Talbott family, exploring their individual motivations and societal roles.
4. symbolism, the Orpheus legend: This chapter explores the recurring motifs of memory, the bird metaphor, music, and the direct adaptation of Greek mythology to critique a "fallen world."
5. style: This chapter defines the play's "Southern Gothic" genre, emphasizing its grotesque characters, lyrical style, and the integration of cinematic effects.
6. summary and interpretation: This final chapter synthesizes the play's core themes, questioning the possibility of true escape and discussing the definitions of meaning in life and the future.
Keywords
Tennessee Williams, Orpheus Descending, Southern Gothic, American Drama, Val Xavier, Lady Torrance, Symbolism, Orpheus Legend, Memory, Freedom, Small-town Society, Conformity, Escape, Music, Repression
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this academic work?
The work provides a comprehensive analysis of Tennessee Williams' play "Orpheus Descending," exploring its themes, characters, and stylistic foundations.
What are the primary themes discussed in the analysis?
Central themes include the struggle for freedom, the repressive nature of small-town society, the burden of memory, and the search for authentic human connection.
What is the primary objective of this thesis?
The aim is to interpret the play's deeper meaning by analyzing selected aspects such as plot, characters, symbolism, and stylistic choices.
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The author employs a literary analysis method, examining text-internal elements like stage directions and dialogue alongside contextual information about the era and the Orpheus myth.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body breaks down the play into thematic chapters, including character profiles, cultural and historical context, the usage of Greek mythological parallels, and genre-specific stylistic features.
Which keywords characterize this study?
Key terms include Tennessee Williams, Orpheus Descending, Southern Gothic, memory, and the search for freedom in a conventionalized society.
How does the Orpheus legend inform the play's structure?
The legend is used to frame a story about a "fallen world" where the protagonist acts as an Orphic figure who attempts to bring life into a corrupt, restrictive environment.
What role does the setting of the "dry goods store" play?
The store serves as the microcosmic representation of the small-town Southern society, where the protagonist attempts to build a new life despite surrounding hostility.
How does the author interpret the ending of the play regarding Carol Cutrere?
The author discusses the ambiguity of the ending and compares the play’s open-ended nature with the more conciliatory resolution provided in the 1959 film version.
- Quote paper
- Katharina Kullmer (Author), 2006, Tennessee Williams' play "Orpheus descending" - an analysis, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/83419
