Context

Question 1

Tennessee Williams Context

Answer 1

• His mother was a Southern Belle and suffered mental health issues
• William’s own father was an angry. argumentative drinker
• His parents had a poor marriage
• His sister suffered from Schizophrenia and her mother tries to help by giving her a lobotomy (allusions to taking Blanche to a mental institution)

Question 2

Historical Context

Answer 2

• Published post World War 2 when America was rapidly declining
• Represents the decline of the Old South who were reliant on agriculture and the rise of he New South

Question 3

Literary Context

Answer 3

• Can be seen as a modern tragedy
• Developed Plastic Theatre: a non realist style that exploits expressionistic devices to symbolically reflect the psyche characters on stage.