Symbolic creatures: spirituality and evanescence in Tennessee Williams´s plays and short stories

The aim of this research is the interpretation of William’s poetic contrivance concerning the use of animals, mythological beasts and symbolic creatures in plays and short stories. Through an interdisciplinary lens we juxtapose different cases such as the Iguana in The night of the iguana, birds and sea turtles in Suddenly last summer, griffin in A milktrain doesn’t stop here anymore, cat in “The malediction” etc. These symbolic creatures are allusions of fantastic characters’ anima, meaning the irrational part of the soul. In religious imagery these symbolisms are widespread. The symbolic creatures are the subtext of spirituality and evanescence in Williams’ work.