Context Flashcards
Demure Southern Belle
By making Blanche a promiscuous alcoholic, Williams challenges the stereotype of the demure Southern Belle..
Homosexuality
Like Allan, Williams was homosexual.
Rose
Williams’ sister. She had snizophrenia and was committed to an aslylum. Blanche is believed to be modelled on Rose, and she hears the varsouvianna.
Escape from Reality
Williams found writing an escape from reality, just like Blanche found playing make believe an escape from reality.
WW2
After it ended there was an appreciation for masculinity throughout America. Me wanted to assert the dominance they had shown on the battlefields in the home. There was an economic boom.
Stanley vs Blanche
New industrial efficiency vs old Southern values.
American Dream
A concept fully rooted in America. Success depended on hard work instead of birth.
Immigrants
US was seen as a blank slate for many immigrants, and they were attracted by the idea of the American Dream.
North vs South
The industrial North grew more powerful whilst the South was stuck in its agricultural ways.
Women
After WW2, women were seen as able to work and persue their own version of the American Dream.
Published
1947
WW2
1939-1945
