Streetcar A03

Question 1

What societal group is Blanche a represntation of?

Answer 1

Blanche is a part of the Old South Aristocracy
- Their wealth stems from slave trade
- They also have refined tastes and are elegant in their choice of clothing aswell as their accents

Question 2

What societal group is Stanley a representation of?

Answer 2

Stanley is a representation of the new Working Class
- Who are associated with industrialisation
- Instead of the Old South Aristocrisy, which rewarded status, the New Working Class rewards hard work and physical strength, something which allows Stanley to thrive, juxtaposed to Blanche whose power declines.
Stanley is shown as hard working and resiliant through his portrayal as a physically strong and resiliance in the face of adversity(His identity as a immigrant “Polack”)

Question 3

What did New Orleans culture think of imigrants

Answer 3

New Orleans is depicted as a racially diverse and immigrant accepting city as a result of the rising working class and fading Old South Aristocracy
- Instead of the old society which rewarded status the new working class rewards hard work and physical stength, something which allows Stanley to thrive, juxtaposed to Blanche whose power declines.

Question 4

What kind of expectations and limitations are there on male bahaviours

Answer 4

There are expectations on:
- Physical strength and Dominance
Stanley is portrayed as the quinticential masculine male, something which is expected of him as The Working Class society rewarded physical strength(Portrayed as “animalistic”
- Vulnerability
There are expectations of emotional stoicism in traditional male ideals. Mick is ridiculed for being open about his feelings (He is emotionally stunned when he found out about Blanche’s past)

Question 5

What happened to Tennessee William’s sister

Answer 5

She was sent to a Mental institution in 1937

Question 6

What were the expectations of women in the Patriarchy

Answer 6

There were expectations of promistcuity in the patriarchy( It is ironic how Men like Stanley reproach promiscuity in women, but they are not held to the same standards themselves)

Question 7

Financial dependence

Answer 7

Women were financially dependent upon men

Question 8

Where do we see societal double standards faced by women through the character of Blanche?

Answer 8

Blanche is forced to conceal her past to preserve her reputation in a society that harshly condemns female promiscuity. However, when Mitch criticises her for hiding the truth, despite those societal expectations of chastity, it reveals the impossible double standard women face — punished both for their actions and for their attempts to protect themselves from judgment. This contradiction highlights how societal expectations do not protect but instead trap and harm women.