In Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, a Southern family meet to celebrate 'Big Daddy' Pollitt's 65th birthday. But as the party unfolds, the facade of a happy family gathering is fractured by sexual frustration, repressed love and greed in the light of their father's impending death.
This Methuen Student Edition de-centres expectations in an exemplary way, revivifies the play’s familiarity, and offers fresh perspectives on the play almost 70 years on. This edition includes a commentary by Benjamin Hudson, which explores the major themes of the play, including illness and mortality; white supremacy through the plantation setting; mendacity and 'fake news'; alcoholism and addiction; as well as sexuality, womanhood and mid-century notions of masculinity. It draws attention to the context of the play, including the cultural, social and political landscape of the Mississippi Delta and St. Louis; the first-hand witnessing of Black life in the South; homosexuality and outsider sympathy; and American conservatism and the idealised 1950s family.
It also delves into recent productions and adaptations of the play, including the Bollywood and Antoine Fuqua film adaptations.
Williams is one of the most popular modern dramatists at A-level and this play is a set text on 2 A-level specifications (AQA English Literature and Eduqas English Language and Literature).
A Preview of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is available here.
| ISBN: | 9781350237988 |
| Publication date: | 24th August 2023 |
| Author: | Tennessee Williams |
| Publisher: | Methuen Drama an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing PLC |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 168 pages |
| Series: | Student Editions |
| Suitable For: | |
| Other Genres: |
