Searching For The Independent Self Under Oppression

Tennessee Williams is one of the most prominent playwrights after the World War ? who has made great contribution to the development of American drama.The female characters in his plays attract the attention of critics home and abroad.A Streetcar Named Desire is a masterpiece by Williams for depicting the tragic fate of Blanche DuBois.With the females' self-awareness and revolting against the patriarchal society,the fate of the female characters takes a favorable turn.The Rose Tattoo,as the first love comedy of Williams,proves that the protagonist Serafina succeeds in searching for self and happiness through revolt.Williams believes that even though women are oppressed as the Other in the patriarchal society,life can be different as long as they resort to a reasonable way of opposition.By adopting the Existentialist feminism,this thesis tries to explore Williams'views on women and the related reasons by analyzing female characters.Both Blanche and Serafina live in the patriarchal society and they are oppressed as the Other.However,different ways of revolt and life attitudes prompt the two protagonists having completely different independent selves and fates.Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire possesses the sentimental personality and tends to rely on men,thus she is doomed to become the victim of the patriarchal society.On the contrary,Serafina in The Rose Tattoo is independent and dares to break the rules and challenge the man authorities and gains the independent self and a true love.Williams shows his deep sympathy and sincerity to women under the patriarchal society.The reason for Williams' views on women lies in the misfortune of his mother and sister which impels him to have a deeper understanding of women's misfortune and feel guilty for that.Meanwhile,American Feminist Movement exerts great influence on him,so Williams begins to focus more attention on the fates of women.In conclusion,Williams expects a more equal and harmonious relationship between women and men and he is full of confidence for the future of women.