streetcar Context Flashcards
(26 cards)
why was Tennessee called Tennessee in college
In honor of his southern accent and his fathers home state
What was edwina- tennessees mother prone to
Hysterical attacks
When did Williams family move to St Louis
1918- when Tennessee was 7
What happened to tennessees father when they moved to St Louis
His drinking increased
How many times did tennessees family move in 10 years
16 times meaning Williams was always shy and fragile and ostracized and taunted in school
when did Williams decide to appreciate his father
In adulthood in therapy as he decided that his father gave him his survival instinct
What did Tennessees father do during his uni years
Forced him to withdraw from school to work at the shoe company where he himself worked as Williams had failed a required course
Why was Tennessee bed ridden for two years in childhood
Due to severe illness- he then grew withdrawn and his splice was writing
What happened after three years at the shoe company
Tennessee had a mental breakdown returning to Washington uni where the theatre group produced two of his plays
What happened to Tennessees sister
She had intensive brain surgery leaving her institutionalised for the rest of her life- prefrontal lobotomy
What was Tennessees sexuality
A known homosexual in an era unfriendly to homosexuality
What themes are present in Tennessees work
Alcoholism, depression, thwarted desire, loneliness, insanity
what was likely inspiration for Tennessees female characters
His mother and his sister
what was likely inspiration for Tennessees male characters
His father
what were the significant social changes present in the post ww2 era
- decline of the southern aristocracy
- rise in urbanisation
- themes of sexuality and mental illness were groundbreaking for its time
- taking over of factories and return of the domesticated life for women
what does Stella’s baby represent
How stuck she is in her relationship with Stanley
What does Alan’s death represent
The mistreatment of homosexuals at the time
- the death of blanches sexual innocence as she now becomes a widow
What does Stanley represent
- patriarchy and male dominance
- embodies the working class reality of their surroundings-
- aggressive masculinity that both attracts and threatens
- beats Stella and rapes Blanche and is still seen as the respected family man while Blanche is outcast from society
How does Blanche link with Tennessee
- both suffered alcoholism and depression
- he was pulled away from the south without choice when his father got a new job
What does Blanche represent
- the fading southern belle
- southern old money ideals are being overthrown by modern money and industry - factories
What does
What does pablo represent
Hispanic- represents cultural diversity in the neighbourhood
What does Stanley’s Polish ancestry represent?
New heterogenous America
What does Chet Huntley represent?
Represents Blanche’s Saviour and her last escape route
- A fabrication of her mental illness
