Released in 1953, Picnic is Inge's second Broadway production set in the Midwest. The play explores the dynamics between a charismatic man and a group of isolated women.

In 1955, Inge published Bus Stop, opting for a romantic comedy set in Kansas. The story revolves around a small group of individuals caught in a snowstorm. The play's cheerful conclusion is atypical for Inge's usual themes.

Thomas Wolfe's 1929 novel, Look Homeward, Angel, offers a realistic portrayal of familial bonds, focusing on Eugene, whose father struggles with alcoholism.

Edward Albee's 1962 play, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, delves into the harsh and occasionally violent relationship between a married couple. Similar to Inge's work, shattered dreams are a central theme in the narrative.

The 1945 film The Lost Weekend, featuring Ray Milland, and the 1995 film Leaving Las Vegas, starring Nicholas Cage, both provide unflinching portrayals of alcoholism and its devastating effects.