Publication: September 17, 2004, by New Directions
Genre: Adult Fiction, Play, Classic
Format: Paperback
Source: Borrowed
Rating:
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof first heated up Broadway in 1955 with its gothic American story of brothers vying for their dying father’s inheritance amid a whirlwind of sexuality, untethered in the person of Maggie the Cat. The play also daringly showcased the burden of sexuality repressed in the agony of her husband, Brick Pollitt. In spite of the public controversy Cat stirred up, it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and the Drama Critics Circle Award for that year. Williams, as he so often did with his plays, rewrote Cat on a Hot Tin Roof for many years—the present version was originally produced at the American Shakespeare Festival in 1974 with all the changes that made Williams finally declare the text to be definitive, and was most recently produced on Broadway in the 2003–2004 season. This definitive edition also includes Williams&rsquoi; essay “Person-to-Person,” Williams’ notes on the various endings, and a short chronology of the author’s life. One of America’s greatest living playwrights, as well as a friend and colleague of Williams, Edward Albee has written a concise introduction to the play from a playwright’s perspective, examining the candor, sensuality, power, and impact of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof then and now.
My Thoughts:
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was literally a high school student's dream. Or, in other words, MY DREAM. I always wanted to read a book that took place in the South or Mississippi so this was it. Although this is an older play published during a time in which it was difficult to talk about "controversial issues" like gay rights and so forth, it delivers a message effectively and shows readers that these issues and topics should be spoken about. Tennessee Williams is an excellent writer who is able to create a memorable play out of one setting and a small cast of characters. That is what amazes me, and is causing me to become more interested in reading plays and that kind of literature.
This play had a cast of characters I surely will not forget about due to their distinct personalities. We have Maggie, the wife of Brick, and she is who the play is really named after. Maggie is one of those stereotypical Southern characters who is all in for the old money and lives a luxurious life on a plantation. Brick, her husband, is absolutely troubled and is an alcoholic, drinking away his problems, even though he is the favourite child. His parents adore him, and despise his brother and his wife who are secretly waiting for Big Daddy to die and leave the estate to them. It's all about family drama, honestly.
I believe that more people should become aware of Williams and his writing, and the messages that his stories spread. Of course, A Streetcar Named Desire is his most popular story, however, this one should be crowned as just as popular.
When reading, I especially enjoyed the message that this story spread and the pacing. I found it relatively interesting and captivating, better than the recent plays I have been reading for school. This did not seem like something I was forced to read for school, you know? You know how Shakespeare can be boring and/or difficult to understand, causing you to find no motivation to read? Well, this was the complete opposite. I actually looked forward to English class to pick this one up and analyze, read and enjoy.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was my first 'southern' classic experience. We constantly hear about Harper Lee's books and Gone With the Wind, but Tennessee Williams' writing should be more frequently heard of. It was a true, real read.
What are some other good 'southern' classics?
This play had a cast of characters I surely will not forget about due to their distinct personalities. We have Maggie, the wife of Brick, and she is who the play is really named after. Maggie is one of those stereotypical Southern characters who is all in for the old money and lives a luxurious life on a plantation. Brick, her husband, is absolutely troubled and is an alcoholic, drinking away his problems, even though he is the favourite child. His parents adore him, and despise his brother and his wife who are secretly waiting for Big Daddy to die and leave the estate to them. It's all about family drama, honestly.
I believe that more people should become aware of Williams and his writing, and the messages that his stories spread. Of course, A Streetcar Named Desire is his most popular story, however, this one should be crowned as just as popular.
When reading, I especially enjoyed the message that this story spread and the pacing. I found it relatively interesting and captivating, better than the recent plays I have been reading for school. This did not seem like something I was forced to read for school, you know? You know how Shakespeare can be boring and/or difficult to understand, causing you to find no motivation to read? Well, this was the complete opposite. I actually looked forward to English class to pick this one up and analyze, read and enjoy.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was my first 'southern' classic experience. We constantly hear about Harper Lee's books and Gone With the Wind, but Tennessee Williams' writing should be more frequently heard of. It was a true, real read.
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