Context Flashcards
Decline of the Old South
Blanch represents the decline of the old South post-war and post-slavery, through her Southern Belle ideals, which couldn’t survive in modern America.
Post-war Glorification of Male Dominance
The play critiques a post-wat culture which glorifies male dominance and confined women to domestic roles.
Stanley represents the post-war hypermasculinity
William’s Own Life (Parental Dynamics)
William’s own life is represented in the play. He had a deeply troubled background with an abusive, dysfunctional home life.
His father Cornelius Williams was a heavy drinker and emotionally and physically abusive.
His mother, Edwina Williams was a Southern Belle type - overbearing, strict and emotionally cold.
Blanche represents Edwina Williams.
Stanley represents Cornelius Williams.
William’s Own Life (Home Life)
His home was a site of conflict.
In Streetcar Named Desire the apartment is small, hot, tense and inescapable, highlighting the emotional claustrophobia he experienced in his childhood.
Essentially, domestic life is portrayed as a battleground to represent William’s childhood.
