Abstract
This paper first explains that "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen and "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams are two plays that explore the ways in which a woman can be very desirable but cannot satisfy either herself or her world. The paper then goes on to explore how the protagonist Nora in Ibsen's play reacts to her relationship with her husband and finally rejects it. Whereas, Blanche Dubois in Williams' play, after considering desire as her only source of life, retreats into insanity. The paper stresses that society has formed the ways in which these women are viewed.

From the Paper
"This quote shows that for him, the whole point, the whole image of being a man derives from a masculinity that is shown through the dominance of women. Nora is his dream come true, constantly playing the "damsel in distress" in need of his assistance. It also shows a certain falseness in his love for her, as he does not actually say "love" in this passage but instead "attractive", suggesting that he is only interested in the surface of Nora."

Tags:flirtatious, feminine helplessness, manipulative husband isolated

Abstract
This paper looks how Susan Glaspell's play "Trifles" uses many ideas found in feminist criticism and explores the three main tools Susan Glaspell uses in driving her point home: the experience of the woman, the traditional roles of men and women, and the use of binary oppositions.

From the Paper
"One idea of feminist criticism is that literature is based on womens? experience, and ?it is specifically the connective, the accumulative details of experience, that provide the structural key for the comprehension of this story (Alkalay-Gut 1).? Upon entering her home, Mrs. Hale notices that Mrs. Wright left certain things undone, such as dirty dishes in the sink, the half-wiped table, and the half-poured sugar. Being a farmer's wife herself she understands this, and defends Mrs. Wright when the men criticize her untidiness by replying, ?There's a great deal of work to be done on a farm (Glaspell, 401).? She understands what it's like to have a million things to do and not enough time to do them. Women often make the job look so easy that men like these believe there isn't much to it. She also knows that these men do not appreciate the effort put forth to manage a household, but more importantly she speaks her mind, asserting her views firmly."

Tags:feminism, symbolism, criticism, woman

Abstract
This paper takes a look at the differences between the two characters, Walter and Beneth, and their outlook on life.

From the Paper
"Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is a brilliant play about family, money, and power. The characters Walter and Beneatha have conflicting ideas on everything including; who the head of the family is and what it means to be successful, the role of women in society, and assimilation. "A Raisin in the Sun is about dreams, ironically enough. And how those psychological projections of human life can come into conflict like any other product of that life." Throughout history, we have been taught that you have to be flexible and compromise-especially in a family situation."

Tags:benetha, characters, compare, contrast, hansbury, in, loraine, raisin, sun, the, walter

From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to examine the use of symbolism and imagery in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. The plan of the research will be to set forth in general terms the pattern of ideas emerging in the work, and then to discuss the symbolic and imagistic means by which the pattern is elaborated, the ideas are given concrete representation, and the combination of dramatic and thematic content given emotional expression.
The action of The Glass Menagerie is built around Tom Wingfield's memory of a family of sometimes violent and often pathetic emotions, and of the just plain sad fate of his mother Amanda and his sister Laura, who each in her way is doomed when it comes to coping with the realities of the outside world. The difference between them is that Amanda is a survivor and Laura a ..."

Abstract
This paper contends that the tragedy of "Streetcar Named Desire" is down to the failed relationship between Blanche and Mitch and that exclusively the tragedy relies on several facets of abuse in order to produce a genuine catharsis of pity and sympathy.The paper also discusses how these facets of abuse rely on Stanley's harassments as well as Blanche's inability to conform, how there is no middle ground between Stanley and Blanche and how, if there had been, perhaps Blanche's chances with Mitch would have been more fruitful. The paper contends that Blanche's failed relationship with Mitch represents the final straw from which the rest of the tragedy of "Streetcar Named Desire" unfolds, and from which she can never recover having felt that she was so close to a solution.

From the Paper
"The relationship between Mitch and Blanche is represented as her salvation; he's different "to the others", more "sensitive", and so appeals to Blanche's similar need for an understanding soul mate, someone who adheres to her idea of a 'southern gentleman' which is important because of the ideals Blanche bases her needs on; that of a compassionate partner. Examples in Mitch of his southerly gentlemen traits his bowing to her at the end of scene V inducing an "interest" in Blanche as he offers her flowers, and applies a politeness that contrasts so gravely with Stanley's treatment of her. Blanche seeks a partner who can satisfy her sexual appetite and offer her support. Indeed in Elia Kazan's 1951 production of Streetcar Named Desire, Blanche and Stella go to find Stanley at the bowling alley, and as they are seeking him out, her eyes follow the males there seductively. This pilgrimage of sorts to find a partner is in my opinion hinting at her true character; a tormented soul seeking typical things. Blanche treats men as objects of passion that she may acquire at will, indeed this is one interpretation of Blanche's hamartia; a trained seductress, who frequented the local soldiers' barracks back at her home. "

Tags:Stanley, salvation

Abstract
This paper discusses how the play "Death of a Salesman" has had a profound effect on American society, its counterculture and individuals alike. Written in 1949, America along with a great proportion of the rest of the world was changing considerably. Financially, politically, domestically America was becoming the epitome of a super power. In particular, the paper examines what the play has to say about the country of it's birth and how it played a major role in the birth of an altogether different breed of American; the counter-culturalist.

From the Paper
"Biff, one of two sons encapsulates this. Having been a true believer in 'the dream' in early life Biffs world is turned upside down when the trappings of ego - in his case Willy's affair - is discovered. (The past and present contradict and oppose each other just as the characters themselves do). Suddenly, a lifetime of lies and deceit come crashing down and the truth becomes apparent. Previous to the discovery of the affair, Biff is convincing Willy to talk to his math teacher who has flunked him, believing his father to be a persuasive and charismatic character. Once the affair is revealed and the lies fall away, Biff goes on to denounce his Father a 'fake' and a 'phoney'. These accusations would become synonymous with the beat generation and general counterculture as a critique of the generation that spawned them- obsessed with post war materialism, keeping up appearances and household technological trends all at the expense of the sanity of the very youth that watched this capitalist nightmare unfold."

Tags:Willy, Loman, Biff, capatalism

Abstract
This paper looks at how trapped in their fate the Greek tragic heroes of Sophocles and Aeschylus were flung into a pure and dream-like existence where emotion was experienced unmitigated by the distractions of the consciousness, where they could only descend into the whirlpool of destiny. It attempts to show as a distant descendant from this ancient culture, Arthur Miller creates modern tragedy from a more democratic approach which places significance on an individual's influence over his own destiny. It examines how Miller explores the fate of the common-man hero, "Death of a Salesman's" Willy Loman and "All My Sons" Joe Keller, within the drama of their dreams and decisions.

From the Paper
"From their detached perspective Miller's audience can easily discern that Willy's immersion in the capitalist dream dictates the tragic course of events in the play. Through his profession Willy is the natural hero for a tragedy of capitalist dreams as capitalism is often distinguished by salesmen who artificially stimulate individuals wants and needs. Resuscitated allusions to the commercially-charged Boston affair has embittered Willy's emotional relationship with his family as he uses financial reward to quantify his love for them; his receptionist mistress promises to put him straight "through to the buyers". "

Tags:willy, loman, joe, keller, aeschylus

Abstract
This paper examines how many critics, over the years, have discussed the issue of blame as far as Willy's ideas, suffering, and suicide are concerned. Many feel, as the question in the title claims, that Willy's character traits and dubious morals are the key reasons behind his downfall, yet others believe that social pressures and the influence of role models are the key triggers responsible for Willy's downfall. The paper attempts to argue all the responses to this statement.

From the Paper
"In dramatic contrast to this view of Willy, there are those who view him much less critically, focusing on his more admirable qualities and the causes outside of Willy's control as responsible for his downfall. Biff describes Willy as having the "wrong dreams", Willy may be flawed but he is also admirable because of his persistence and great love for his family. Jerry L. Crawford "Death of a Salesman: A landmark Date in Theatre" is very much in agreement with this line of argument. He believes that "few people can remain unmoved by Willy's fight for his family, carrying on a struggle for sales long after he has lost his skills and welcome, holding desperately to an impossible dream for his son". "

Tags:suffering, suicide

Abstract
In this article the the writer studies how Arthur Miller treats the issue of tension in the play 'A View From The Bridge'. The writer notes that Arthur Miller takes an already claustrophobic setting in which the characters are struggling to suppress their ever mounting problems with each other and throws in a catalyst to explode the situation and force characters to confront their problems. The writer looks at the different characters and their functions in the play and discusses how Miller uses them to create dramatic tension in particular in act one of the drama.

From the Paper
"Using a choric figure to encourage the viewer to contemplate the morals of the play is just one of the many elements Arthur Miller has used to re-create Greek Tragedy. He also uses techniques such as the play being set in a small, claustrophobic area and the action happening in a short amount of time to create this effect. Arthur Miller has put his own mark on the play by using the un-educated, working class character of Eddie to be the tragic protagonist, as Greek tragedy has traditionally always traced the downfall of a person who was rich or had a high position in society, suggesting it was only these people who felt deep emotions and passions worth writing about."
"One of Arthur Miller's greatest achievements as a playwright and contributions to literature is the fact that he has used a simple central character from a rough area to be the tragic hero, consumed by his one fatal flaw: his incestuous love for his niece Catherine. He has succeeded in proving poor people too can have a destiny that cannot be escaped; previously only people of noble birth were considered worthy of having their problems dramatised on stage."

Tags:Alfieri, play, characters, Rodolfo

Abstract
This paper examines the importance of truth and illusion in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" by playwright Edward Albee. The paper shows that these themes are central to the plot, making for great suspense as the audience realizes the tragedy of the facade that characters Martha and George have created to avoid facing reality. The paper shows that the issues of truth and illusion allow the author to demonstrate the fragile fantasy which supports the American dream. As an absurdist, Edward Albee believed illusion created a false contentment and this is shown by the shambolic nature of the two marriages in the play. The paper shows that Albee believed that however harsh the reality, people had to learn the difference between truth and illusion.

From the Paper
"Another important role of truth and illusion in the novel is that it allows Albee to demonstrate his views on American society. By calling the central characters George and Martha, he makes an unmistakable reference to George and Martha Washington. Albee uses their marriage as a microcosm for the imperfect state of America. The marriage of George and Martha is essentially based on fantasy and illusion, as is that of Nick and Honey, seemingly representative of the conventional American couple. Therefore, Albee is asking his audience to question the American society represented by the marriage of George and Martha, and to begin to consider whether the American dream is actually based on similarly false illusions."

Tags:Exorcism, nick, honey