CONTEXT

Question 1

Tennese williams life

Answer 1

• difficult childhood, parents had unhappy marriage, father was alchoholic, working class salesman
  Mother was a southern belle, born to be a higher class
  -similar to Stella and stanleys r/s
• His sister suffered from mental illness and was instiutionalised
• Williams lived in a society where homosexuality was seen as an ilness
  All his experiences are mirrored in the play, depression, alchoholism, outsiders , loneliness

Question 2

ao4

Answer 2

williams has repeatedly claimed, “i am blanche” and has identified with her”

Question 3

political context

Answer 3

play was set after civil war
The south was alienated from the rest of the america,a

Question 4

ao4

Answer 4

It is no coincidence that Stellas baby is born the same day Blanche is raped and defeated
Symbolism of triumph of new post war south.

Question 5

gender roles

Answer 5

during WW2 , % of women working went from 27% to 37%.
Blanche shows masuclinity in her sexual arrogance