Dramatic Devices in Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Dramatic Devices in Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

"Williams instinctively understands the loneliness of a human being -

his or her constant and desperate attempt that is to escape the

reality that is there loneliness and their subsequent failure to do

so". Williams portrays this loneliness to an audience through the

spatial distances on stage between characters, which is suggested in

the stage direction. "Margaret is alone". It is also emphasised

through symbolism and the dialogue between characters. Big Mama

accuses Margaret of not satisfying Brick in bed and of Brick's break

down. After this accusation, "Margaret is alone, completely alone". By

repeating this stage direction Williams is emphasising that it is

imperative that Maggie should be alone. This signifies her isolation

within her marriage. Both Maggie and Brick are isolated from each

other within their marriage. Maggie is, because she is "childless" and

Brick is, because he drinks and the reason for his drinking drives him

to this isolation. Williams uses a lot of symbolism to illustrate this

solitary confinement. Brick has a crutch for his ankle; this

represents his physical need for a crutch and demonstrates how he uses

it for support. This is also reflected in his drinking; Brick uses

alcohol as a mental crutch for support. When Maggie is pushing Brick

with the truth of what has happened between himself and Skipper "Brick

is without his crutch". This signifies that he has no support and is

unbalanced. Previously, Brick has been very detached, cold and always

in control. He always had his crutch, without he becomes emotionally

vulnerable even to the point of threatening ...

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between Maggie and Brick that has lead to Maggie and Brick's separate

isolation and their isolation within their marriage.

Williams sets the scene for this solitary confinement at the beginning

of the play. He lulls the reader, or the audience, into a false sense

of security by implying an intimate relationship. The scene is set

with "a shower in the bathroom, the door of which is half open…a

pretty young woman…bedroom". However, this intimate ideal is quickly

reversed when the dialogue between Maggie and Brick begins.

Williams uses stage direction and dialogue to clearly outline the

isolation in Maggie and Brick and uses the setting to convince the

audience into a false sense of security of their marriage. Maggie and

Brick are isolated figures; they are isolated from themselves and

people around them.