Belen Spriggs
9 March 2012
Ms. Dougherty
AP English 11
Belen Spriggs
9 March 2012
Ms. Dougherty
AP English 11
Spriggs 1
Spriggs 1

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Critical Analysis of Behaviors of Tennessee Williams
A significant playwright of the twentieth century, Tennessee Williams, possesses an insightful understanding of human relations and displays that understanding in a handful of his plays. Tennessee Williams’ lived through a rough childhood and had to grow up quickly to take care of his family as it crumbled before his eyes. His mother, father, and sister all became mentally ill and Williams’ family life shattered (Tennessee Vol.5, 2067). After being mentally and emotionally alienated by his family, Williams suffered with a prolonged period
Ten years older’n me. We hadn’t had sex together in…” (Tennessee, Iguana 7). This quote proves that Maxine does not have a positive view of marriage or relationships either, which complicates Shannon’s ability to believe that there is more to human connections and relationships than sex. Maxine also feels that she needs someone to take her husband’s place. Maxine is incredibly flirtatious with Shannon and longs for him to become a lover (Tennessee Vol.5, 2081). Moreover, from the moment Shannon arrives to Costa Verde, she insists that Shannon take everything that is left of Fred’s. Shannon says to Maxine, “I loved ole Fred but I don’t want to fill his shoes, honey” (Tennessee, Iguana 19). Shannon has never felt that marriage or relationships were lasting or existent so, by flirting with Shannon and asking him to be so much for her, even though Fred has only been dead for a little while, Maxine is just proving Shannon right. He is also given the idea of being more insecure because he sees how little that Fred must have meant to Maxine if she can get over him so quickly. Shannon is insecure and afraid to ever be put in a situation like that, causing him to run away from all affectionate interactions.
Spriggs 4
Spriggs 4
Shannon’s insecurity and conception with women derived at a young age, specifically during his childhood. There was an incident in which Shannon explained to Fred (when he alive months ago) that when he was younger,