'Williams's favourite among his plays [Cat on a Hot Tin Roof] is perhaps his most impassioned
and articulate statement on human isolation the wrenching problems of communication between
people and the ways in which death defines life.' NEW YORK TIMES In Cat on a Hot Tin Roof a
Southern family meet to celebrate 'Big Daddy' Pollitt's 65th birthday. But as the party unfolds
the facade of a happy family gathering is fractured by sexual frustration repressed love and
greed in the light of their father's impending death. This edition includes a commentary by
Benjamin Hudson which explores the major themes of the play including illness and mortality
white supremacy through the plantation setting mendacity and 'fake news' alcoholism and
addiction as well as sexuality womanhood and mid-century notions of masculinity. It draws
attention to the context of the play including the cultural social and political landscape of
the Mississippi Delta and St. Louis the first-hand witnessing of Black life in the South
homosexuality and outsider sympathy and American conservatism and the idealised 1950s family.
It also delves into recent productions and adaptations of the play including the Bollywood and
Antoine Fuqua film adaptations.
