Wanderer Plays (1957–9)

Abstract

The wanderer plays of the late fifties complement the great faded-belle plays of the late forties. Between the two groups stands the pivotal Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955), in which Williams endowed the focal character of Brick Pollitt with attributes from each of the twin archetypes. After the success of Cat it was logical for the playwright to turn seriously to the matter of the wanderer with the intention of raising it to the level to which he had already brought the matter of the faded belle.

alexandra del lago. All day I’ve kept hearing a sort of lament that drifts through the air of this place. It says, ‘Lost, lost, never to be found again’. (Sweet Bird of Youth)