Author(s): Sayantani Sengupta

Abstract: Being dissatisfied with their own existence and utterly depressed with the imperfect scenario, individuals portray the tendency to travel beyond the attainable space and undertake an imaginary, impractical, creative and constructed journey to the ideal space, which they regard as their epitome of perfection or an alternate society and term it as utopic world. Even though the characters enjoy a momentary existence, they suffer from the dilemma of encountering the subversion of dreams and invasion of an outside element capable enough behind their devastation and crumbling down of the dreams. Such a definitive perspective can be witnessed through the reclusive Laura in Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie as she feels herself different from the others and finds escape and solace in her collection of glass animals. Similar viewpoint can be projected through Alison in Look Back in Anger who keeps herself engaged with the household chores being dissatisfied with her marital relationship. Thus, exploring and objectifying the utopic world of Laura and Alison in the ground-breaking texts of Williams and Osborne. Divided into several parts, the paper focuses on the lives of Laura and Alison and highlights the concept of an ‘outsider’ through the characters of Jim and Helena respectively. The tendency of Tom Wingfield and Jimmy Porter to relive their past also holds an important section here. Both the plays are analysed critically along with reference to other characters that has influenced the main plot.

Keywords: utopia, identity crisis, existential problems, outsider element, past life, fragility.

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.3.6.50