Streetcar Context

• Tennessee Williams was gay, living in a time where homosexuality was seen as a mental illness, reflected in his work.
• Williams struggled with loneliness, depression and alcoholism, all depicted in Streetcar.
• Set in the aftermath of the civil war, strong North/South divide on the issue of the abolishment of slavery. 1865 marks the victory of the Northern states. The south became alienated and known to be a place of racism and poverty. Slavery was illegal but segregation still remained prevelant.
• New Orleans emerged as the champion of diversity in the South. Large influx of immigration, became a multicultural state
• Streetcar is set in the 'Deep South': we see two sides. Intolerance in upperclass Dubois heritage and a more liberal south in Elysian Fields
• Streetcar explores a time of transition for the American South, tensions resulting from the shift from old money to modernity and diversity.
• Blanche and Stella's money is built on slavery. Blanche represents the struggle of being stuck in the past, unable to move on with a progressive society and therefore clashes with Stanley, who she insults based on his status as a working class immigrant.
• Changing context of the South was part of a wider shift towards modernity. America became centered around the American Dream, welcoming immigrants.
• Individualistic all-American ideology represented by Stanley clashes with Blanche's southern Belle fantasy.
• Streetcar is considered a play that critiques the limitations that the post world war American society imposes. Stereotyping men and women, championing of masculinity in home settings with women like Stella pushed into a domestic role.
• Williams establishes conventional stereotypes yet twists the notions of masculine and feminine energy. Blanche's sexuality and arrogance and Mitch and Allan's sensitivity.
• Societal gender norms negatively impact all main characters.
• 1940s America was not free of racial prejudice and discrimination. New Orleans became distinguished from the rest with its warm and welcoming attitude. Yet Blanche brings her traditional notions of superiority.
• The play does not address racism against African Americans but looks at racism faced by recent European immigrants which we see through conflict between Blanche and Stanley.
• Williams addresses issue of morality. Blanche struggles with moral standards thrust on her. Perhaps the play is a critique of the conventional notions of morality as double standards.