Conflict of Flesh And The Spirit In Tennessee Williams’ Summer And Smoke

Tennessee Williams’ Summer And Smoke brings into limelight the unhealthy impact of social restrictions on the personality of an individual, as result of which the individual is forced to lead a life of divided selves, torn between refinement and rapacity that ultimately leads to the total disintegration of one's personality. In this respect it would not be advisible to interpret the character of Alma as an embodiment in of soul because it is not she who speaks in favour of spirit, rather she only falls a prey to those strings of her social upbringing which make her dance accordingly. The play, thus is not Just a spectacle of the age old conflict between soul and body rather it is a compassionate presentation of a troublesome moment in the life of a fading Southern Belle. After her life long training in the puritan ronunciation, Alma becomes a puppet in her social world and is forced to bear its consequences like a victimized innocent.