Symbolic creatures
spirituality and evanescence in Tennessee Williams´´´´ s plays and short stories
Palavras-chave:
Cristo, Igreja, Deus, Orfeu, Animal, Christ, Church, God, OrpheusResumo
O objetivo desta pesquisa é a interpretação do artifício poético de Williams quanto ao uso de animais, bestas mitológicas e criaturas simbólicas em peças teatrais e contos. Através de uma perspectiva interdisciplinar, nós comparamos diferentes casos, como a iguana em A noite do iguana, pássaros e tartarugas marinhas em De repente no último verão, o grifo em O trem da manhã não para mais aqui, o gato em A maldição, entre outros. Essas criaturas simbólicas são alusões à anima dos personagens fantásticos, significando a parte irracional da alma. Na iconografia religiosa, esses simbolismos são amplamente difundidos. As criaturas simbólicas constituem o subtexto de espiritualidade e de evanescência na obra de Williams.
Abstract
The aim of this research is the interpretation of William’s poetic contrivance concerning the use of animals, mythological beasts and symbolic creatures in plays and short stories. Through an interdisciplinary lens we juxtapose different cases such as the Iguana in The night of the iguana, birds and sea turtles in Suddenly last summer, griffin in A milktrain doesn’t stop here anymore, cat in “The malediction” etc. These symbolic creatures are allusions of fantastic characters’ anima, meaning the irrational part of the soul. In religious imagery these symbolisms are widespread. The symbolic creatures are the subtext of spirituality and evanescence in Williams’ work.
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