Cultural Context Flashcards
Socio-Cultural Context: How does Williams critique gender roles in the play? (3 points)
Williams often critiques the self-imposed limitations of post-WW2 American society in the play
American heroism emerged after the war - masculinity was championed and men were heroised
USA embraced family and home values - pushed women back into domestic roles despite the percentage of women in the workforce increasing during WW2
Socio-Cultural Context: How does Williams present gender roles in the play? (5 points)
In post-war New Orleans, traditional gender roles had been shaken up
Williams establishes conventional gender stereotypes and twists the notion of masculine/feminine energy using characters
Stella and Stanley portray accepted societal gender roles
Blanche showcases masculine energy with her sexuality and arrogance
Mitch and Allan showcase sensitivity, a feminine trait
Socio-Cultural Context: How does Williams present discrimination in the play? (3 points)
Williams looks at racism faced by recent European immigrants compared to longer-established ones through Stanley and Blanche’s conflict
Blanche refers to him as a “Polack” and “swine” - xenophobia and racism
Stanley predominantly faces prejudice as a result of his class position rather than ethnic ambiguity
What is the context behind discrimination in the play? (2 points)
Racism against skin colour was still predominant - New European immigrants from Italy, Ireland, Poland and more were considered a racial middle ground (not quite white)
Post-Harlem Renaissance era - segregation was still prevalent but being contested
Socio-Cultural Context: What is the background behind religion at the time of the play? (3 points)
America was founded on Puritan and other Christian principles - seeped into culture and beliefs and evolved over time
Religion not explicitly discussed in the play - prejudice against homosexuality and ideas about sexual immorality stem from Christian principles
A wife having to submit to her husband is a biblical principle - advocated for in 20th-century America, particularly in the South
What were the values of the Antebellum South? (4 points)
It developed a complicated code of honour among privileged white Southerners, dictating the beliefs and behaviour of “gentlemen” and “ladies”
An especially male-dominated society - the ideal southern lady conformed to her prescribed gender role by being domestic and subservient
Maintaining appearances and reputation was supremely important
Southern belles could only hold power using beauty and feminine graces to attract rich gentlemen - partly explains Blanche’s obsession with her fading looks
