context

Question 1

what is the socio-political context

Answer 1

aftermath of civil war
trying to abolish slavery
war ended with the northern states winning
the southern states were alienated from the rest of America
New Orleans became filled with culture due to a large influx of immigrants
liberal south

Question 2

what is the socio- economic context

Answer 2

transition from old money into modernity and diversity
Blanche and Stella come from old money
slavery being abolished lead to the downfall of families like the Dubois
20th century America- American dream ideology
working class men were spotlighted after ww2 and were seen as the bearers of the American spirit

Question 3

what is the socio-cultural context

Answer 3

focuses on restrictions on women and the gender stereotyping that men face
post war had implications for the championing of masculinity which therefore places women in a domestic role
during ww2, women in the work force raised 10% but after ww2 they were pushed back into domestic roles
gender norms negatively impact characters

Question 4

what is the race context

Answer 4

1940’s America was rife with racial prejudice and injustice
New Orleans presented as a pocket of warmth (equality and welcoming)
many slurs used alongside jazz music to attempt to create a feeling of diversity
European immigrants (like Stanley) faced racism- xenophobia

Question 5

what is the religion and morality context

Answer 5

America was founded on Christian and Puritan principles and these seeped into culture and beliefs
prejudice against homosexuality
sexual immortality beliefs stem from religion
submissive wife is a biblical principle
Williams address issue of morality
the play critiques conventional notions of morality
sexual standards are double standards (falling heavy on women)
Blanche is defiled due to her sexual past but Stanley can get away with rape and domestic abuse