Examine the role and contribution of Chance Wayne Essays

Examine the role and contribution of Chance Wayne in the play. Chance Wayne is originally from St Cloud, Florida. When Chance was young, he was once the best-looking boy in town. His family was poor, as a child Chance befriended the offspring of St. Cloud's elite and had dreams of being a famous actor but, despite a small part in Oklahoma on Broadway, it hasn't worked out for him. The Korean War led Chance into the Navy, but he left after several years of service resulted in a mental breakdown. He now earns his living as a gigolo but still hopes to makes it in Hollywood. Chance returns to his hometown to rescue' his childhood sweetheart, Heavenly, and to prove to everyone that he is a success. Because Chance's lifestyle made it hard to find him, he does not know that his mother has died and that Heavenly has suffered a devastating loss because of a sexually transmitted disease that he gave her on one of his previous visits. Though Chance still loves Heavenly, he is clueless about the effects his actions have had on her and on the town. He considers himself faithful to Heavenly despite having slept with many other women and, although he has sympathy for the Princess, he is willing to use her to gain what he wants. Chance, like the Princess, fears ageing and becoming obsolete, so is determined to fight against it. Chance's semi-implausible good looks and shameless create a frail and compelling mask for the character's rapidly germinating fears, regrets and insecurities .Also, the use of symbolism in the play is found in Chance Wayne's name highlighting the fact that Chance's chances in life are indeed on the wane. Chance is used by Tennessee Williams in the play in a symbolic manner. His castration is a ritualistic death. To be important he had to be real and a character cannot be used as a dramatic symbol if he is important. Chance's real value is discovered in the end of the play. Nonetheless, for the audience Chance i s not just a symbol. He evokes a sense of empathy to the reader. We see ourselves and dreams through his struggle to become famous and his failure to achieve that success. He represents what is commonly referred to us as "The American Dream", he strives to rise above his poverty and by doing so compromises ethical and moral codes.However,the gigolo's failure in the play does not leave the audience with a moral lesson. In addition, Williams through Chance's character reveals that the American dream can turn individuals into monsters. This is emphasizes when Chance struggles to capture the trust and attention of the bar-room crowd in Act Two.Futhermore,Chance's inabil ity to care for Del Lago is emphasized through the scene where he suddenly faces her at the bar high on drugs and alcohol, looking for him so that they can both escape. She pleads, "Don't leave me. If you do I'll turn into the monster again" and he replies "Stuff, get the lady a wheel chair. She is having another attack."At this specific moment he is desperate to regain his youth and reputation. Consumed by a dream which has infected him like the disease he has put into Heavenly's body, rotting away his moral and ethics, turning him into a cruel and selfish monster who is ready to destroy those in his way. Chance is rather a complex character. He displays cruelty when desperate; however he is lovable and tender when he remembers his failures. He lets his guard down when he remembers with Aunt Nonnie his first stage appearance at a national contest, after he was trying to convince himself that they won the prize."We would have won it, but I blew my lines". When Aunt Nonnie replies "I loved you for that, son, and so did Heavenly too."These moments of weakness, vulnerability and honestly set Chance apart from the cruel inhabitants of St Cloud. William establishes to stir sympathy for Chance's character and transform this tainted man who lucks moral fibre into a hero of sorts. Despite his bad choices, selfishness and boldness among his other vices, Chance Wayne is wronged; the audience does not