The Struggle

Posted by Rich Crowley in literature, struggle

“It is only in his work that an artist can find reality and satisfaction, for the actual world is less intense than the world of his own invention and consequently his life, without recourse to violent disorder, does not seem very substantial. The right condition for him is that in which his work is not only convenient but unavoidable.”

Tennessee Williams, the American playwright, wrote this in a piece entitled A Streetcar Named Success, published in the New York Times on Nov. 30, 1947 four days before the New York opening of A Streetcar Named Desire.

So many people chase a life where they don’t have to struggle anymore. They crave to eliminate the struggle of work, of maintaining relationships, of achieving financial freedom, etc. However, if the struggle to achieve these was removed, or if these goals were attained, would the lack of struggle impact our ability to enjoy the end points these things manifest themselves as?

Are you an artist? Does this apply to you?