One common theme is the struggle with identity. In many of his short stories, characters are grappling with who they are in a complex and often unforgiving world. Another theme is the exploration of human relationships, which are often fraught with tension, love, and disappointment. Also, the sense of alienation is present, as his characters frequently feel isolated from society or those around them.
One key event was his birth in the South. Another was his struggle with his family relationships. Also, his discovery of his writing talent was important. His plays becoming popular on Broadway was a major event in his life.
Tennessee Williams was born in Columbus, Mississippi. His real name was Thomas Lanier Williams. He had a rather troubled family life. His father was often absent and his mother was overbearing. His early experiences greatly influenced his works which are known for their exploration of complex human emotions, family dynamics, and the darker sides of life. Some of his famous plays like 'A Streetcar Named Desire' are considered masterpieces in American theater.
In his short stories, the main characters are usually individuals with a lot of emotional baggage. They could be people who have faced some form of trauma in their past, like a broken relationship or a difficult family situation. These characters are often highly relatable because they are dealing with common human problems such as love, loss, and the search for meaning in life. They may be dreamers, imagining a better life, but are constantly being pulled back to the harsh reality by their own flaws or the unforgiving nature of the world around them.
Tennessee Williams' first published novel was 'The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone' in 1950. It tells the story of a once - famous actress, Karen Stone, who is in Rome during the twilight of her life and becomes involved in an affair with a young gigolo.
One characteristic of 'The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone' is its exploration of the female psyche. It shows the insecurities and longings of an aging actress.
Tennessee Williams used subtext a great deal when it came to portraying gay men. In his plays, the relationships of gay characters were sometimes not fully out in the open but were hinted at through glances, unspoken tensions, and veiled conversations. This was because of the social climate of the time which was not very accepting of homosexuality. By using subtext, he was able to still tell their stories without being overly explicit and getting into too much trouble. For example, in 'A Streetcar Named Desire', there are undercurrents that suggest non - conforming sexualities among the characters, which add depth to the overall story.
One of Tennessee Williams' well - known works related to gay men is 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'. It subtly explores themes of homosexuality through the character of Brick. He has an unspoken and complex relationship that is hinted at as being more than just friendship, which was quite revolutionary for the time it was written as it was dealing with a rather taboo topic in a somewhat veiled yet powerful way.
I'm not sure specifically as I don't know which 'the contest short story' you are referring to. It could be about a competition, perhaps a writing contest where the story itself is either the entry or about the experiences within the contest.