a streetcar named desire

Question 1

Authorial Context

Answer 1

-won Pulitzer prize for Streetcar
-sister had schizophrenia
-he struggled with alcoholism/drugs/homsexuality
-his mother was a Southern Belle
-his relationship with boyfriend Pancho was violent and passionate
-shared mental state with Blanche

Question 2

Historical context

Answer 2

-first performed in 1947
-Stanley symblolic of new industry
-Blanche symbolic of decaying traditional plantations

Question 3

Economic context

Answer 3

Wall Street Crash in 1929 - plunged new world into economic depression
nation suffered from unemploment and debt

Question 4

Cultural context

Answer 4

-New Orleans streetcar line called Desire established in 1920, then replaced by a bus line in 1948

Question 5

Geographical context

Answer 5

-Wiliams was born in Missisippi - ‘deep south’
-play is set in the French Quarter

Question 6

Social Context

Answer 6

-Stanley represents American Dream
-Blanche represents Old South where class + race are important
-Race relations not easy in the 1940’s
-Southern Belle - a woman of high status mean tto be treated with respect
-Southern culture was ‘decaying’ according to Williams

Question 7

Gender roles context

Answer 7

-social status and wealth was inherited from families in the Old South
-head of household had little conattc with outside world
-hard labour carried out by slaves
-role of husband was to provide and protect
-women were expected to care for children and husband
-Southern Belle

Question 8

What is realism?

Answer 8

portraying an element of life - fourth wall is closed and society is usually scrutinised

Question 9

What is epic theatre?

Answer 9

Bertolt Brecht - used drama as social and ideological discussion , encouraging audiences to think

Question 10

What is plastic theatre?

Answer 10

expresionist and realistic plays that aim to address the truth to humans

Question 11

What are prosodic features?

Answer 11

the way in which lines are spoken and the effects created

Question 12

What is melodrama?

Answer 12

an exaggerated drama often dealing with sensational topics appealing to emotions of ordinary audience

Question 13

What is the significance of the ‘blue piano’?

Answer 13

-melancholy jazz tone that gets louder during moments of tension
-symbolises Blanche’s deterioration and the decay of her metal state

Question 14

What is a Southern Belle?

Answer 14

A woman of high position that is expectd to be regarded with respect - she is deemed as fragile

Question 15

What did a critic say about Blanche?

Answer 15

Felicia Londre - Blanches is ‘an artist who dramatizes herself’ with ‘Mitch being her enthralled audience’ and ‘designing the lighting effects that will show to her advantage’

Question 16

What are some of the symbolisms of Blanche?

Answer 16

-clothing
-lighting
-name
-bathing

Question 17

Quotes to show Blanche’s avoidance of light:

Answer 17

‘I can’t stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can stand a rude remark or a vulgar action.’
‘her delicate beauty must avoid a strong light.’
‘daylight never exposed so total a ruin.’

Question 18

Quotes to show Blanche’s ignorance of class/culture:

Answer 18

‘they’re something like Irish aren’t they?’

Question 19

Quotes to show Blanche’s sensuality:

Question 20

Quotes to show Blanche’s insecurity:

Answer 20

‘I was fishing for a compliment stanley’

Question 21

Social Class

Answer 21

Williams own mother was a Southern Belle
decay of old Southern values
New Orleans as ‘cultural melting pot’
‘intermingling of races’

Question 22

Social Class quotes

Answer 22

‘She is daintily dressed in a white suit’
‘Well - if you’ll forgive me - he’s common!’
‘Her appearance is incongruous to this setting’
‘I am not a Polack’
‘And serve ‘em to Her Majesty in the tub?’
‘ape-like’
‘don’t you think your superior attitude is a bit out of place?’
‘they’re something like Irish aren’t they?’
‘our first American ancestors were French Huguenots’
Y’know how indifferent I am to money’