Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed Summer and Smoke. It was a nice contrast to The Glass Menagerie. I found this play to be more exciting, but less thought-provoking than The Glass Menagerie. I enjoyed both plays for different reasons.

In a way this play is about Alma's sexual repression and fear of going outside of her comfort zone in contrast to John's indulgence and carelessness. This play is also about the existence of a soul in people and how it guides one in love and life. John and Alma are both trying to find a way to be happy in the world. They both teach each other something very important. John teaches Alma to let loose and stop being afraid of the desires of her body. Alma teaches John to understand that there is more to love and to people than physical desires, and that a soul exists in every human being. Alma teaches John how to love with the soul. They seem to change stances on how life should be lived by the end of the play. Alma learns to give in to her physical desires and stop denying her inner self. John learns to be more responsible. John settles to accept his life as it is and Alma starts to reach for more. I was sad that John and Alma did not end up together, but I understood why they didn't. I believe both people were changed for the better through knowing each other.

Alma and Laura from The Glass Menagerie are similar in that they experience anxiety due to the events of everyday life. They are both so fragile and fearful. Alma uses her white pills to get through life, and Laura distracts herself with her glass figures. I do believe that Alma is in a better place at the end of the play. She seems stronger-ready to face the world. Though she hasn't completely overcome her illness, she is learning to cope with it. I researched and learned that Tennessee Williams based both of the characters in some ways off of his sister. I thought this was interesting.

I enjoyed Mrs. Winemiller. Though her part in this story was small, I think it was important. It added some comic relief and gave some insight as to why Alma is the way she is. Alma had to grow up because of her circumstances. John was forced to grow up when his father died, leaving John in charge of his practice.

I really hate that John and Nellie ended up together simply because Nellie is so young. I do not believe that John loves Nellie. In another world, perhaps John and Alma could have been together. I hope Alma and Archie were able to have a good relationship eventually, and that Alma didn't just use him to fulfill her "dark," physical desires. I think Alma willingly agreed to go to the casino with Archie to prove to herself and to John that she wasn't going to deny her inner self for any longer. I think Alma is finally beginning to understand and accept herself. I think she is through denying her feelings because she lost John for doing so. It was too late for John and Alma by the time they both were ready to be in a healthy relationship.

I really connected with Alma. I felt for her through the entire play. She has some incredible monologues.

I love how descriptive Tennessee Williams' writing is. Some of his lines are so moving and beautiful. I loved the lines about the smoke suffocating Alma's old self. There are so many lines that jumped out at me during this play. I was sure to note them in the previous blogs.

I am so glad I read these plays. I am interested in reading more plays by Williams. Maybe one day I can be in a Tennessee Williams play!