Play Context Flashcards
The socetial norms and events that Williams links to and are relevant in the play
What was The Great Depression? What was it caused by and when?
An uneven distribution of wealth speeding up the fall of the Old South, large poverty and unemployment
Caused by crash of stock market in 1929
What was Southern Gothic literature? What did it aim to do? Why did Williams write about the South?
Rose out of the end of slavery, it aimed to decay the false grandeur of the overly idealised plantation lifestyle
Williams loved the South, he allegedly wrote out of love for it, was veyr interested in romanticism and the hostility towards it
What were the Old South’s values? Why might Williams be against them?
Values of chivalry, sophistication, morals and politeness
These values were built on racism, slavery and prejudice, immoral in itself, fake-ness of Old South
What were the New South’s values? Why might Williams be against them?
Values of racial diversity, acceptance
Values included more violence, less social etiquette and morals, and more brutality and force were encouraged
How was the role of women changing? Why did it change? How does Williams do with this change?
There was great societal upheaval
Caused by WW2 critical roles were being done by women
Williams assesses the struggle between genders in downtown society
What was machismo?
Who is an example of this in the play?
A strong sense of masculine pride
Use of brutality and violence to prove strength
Stanley is the prime example
What were the thoughts on homosexuality? Who does this apply to in the play?
For most Williams’ life it was illegal in America
Tolerated in some New Orleans and Florida area
Applies to Allan Gray
How did Williams feel about New Orleans?
What did he write in his memoir?
He felt he had found a home, a place like no other
He liked the symphony of “spirit of life” it ingtruiged him
Enjoyed the loud mannerisms of the people
