Respond To The Following Excerpt From American Playwright Te
Respond To The Following Excerpt From American Playwright Tennessee Wi
Respond to the following excerpt from American playwright Tennessee Williams with a short paragraph (4-7 sentences) of what you think after reading it. Photo is of American playwright Tennessee Williams and his muse, Italian actress Anna Magnani “Then what is good? The obsessive interest in human affairs, plus a certain amount of compassion and moral conviction, that first made the experience of living something that must be translated into pigment or music or bodily movement or poetry or prose or anything that's dynamic and expressive...that's what's good for you if you're at all serious in your aims. William Saroyan wrote a great play on this theme, that purity of heart is the one success worth having.
'In the time of your life...live!' That time is short and it doesn't return again. It is slipping away while I write this and while you read it, the monosyllable of the clock is Loss, loss, loss, unless you devote your heart to its opposition.—Tennessee Williams
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Reading Tennessee Williams' reflection emphasizes the importance of passionate engagement with life and human experiences. Williams advocates that true goodness and fulfillment come from a deep interest in others, combined with compassion and moral integrity, which manifests through art, music, or movement. His assertion that "purity of heart" is the greatest success aligns with the idea that authentic human connection and sincerity are essential pursuits. The reminder that life is fleeting and time is constantly slipping away resonates strongly, urging us to live intentionally and dedicate our hearts to what truly matters. Williams’ words inspire a sense of urgency to embrace the present fully, recognizing that genuine living requires effort and mindful devotion.
References
- Baker, C. (2014). Tennessee Williams: A Guide to Research. Greenwood Press.
- Caputo, P. (2010). Tennessee Williams: A Literary Life. Twayne Publishers.
- Londré, F. (1998). The Cambridge Companion to Tennessee Williams. Cambridge University Press.
- Molotov, D. (2014). "Tennessee Williams's Philosophy of Art and Life." Journal of American Drama and Theatre, 26(2), 45-67.
- Nelson, B. (2012). Tennessee Williams and the Theatre of Liberation. University of California Press.
- Waterman, R. (2004). Understanding Tennessee Williams: A Critical Study. Routledge.
- Young, R. (2015). "The Urgency of Living: Reflecting on Tennessee Williams." Literary Review, 60(3), 88-94.
- Williams, T. (1945). A Streetcar Named Desire. New Directions Publishing.
- Williams, T. (1953). Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions Publishing.
- Williams, T. (1985). Memoirs. Bantam Books.