ASCND Context

• Context wise what does Stanley Kowalski represent ?

  America at the time the play was set , 'New' Modern America , with meritocratic modern values and attitudes
• When did the Colonial life become outdated ? What did some people still believe ?

  During the 1930s and 40s, Although , those in America of French origin , such as those related to the original French colonisers still thought they were superior.
• What did people related to the original colonisers do in North America ?

  They lived on wealthy plantation houses , which relied on the backs of slavery , however times were changing during the 1940s, and like Belle Reve plantation houses were declining.
• What does Blanche DuBois embody ?

  She embodies , this old , colonial America , associated with arts , literature and the metaphysical , as well as plantation houses like Belle Reve shown through her clothes and jewellery.- Contrasts to modern America.
• What was Modern America associated with ?


  The rise of meritocratic values , and modern attitudes , multiculturalism , opportunity as well as being cosmopolitan.
• What are meritocratic values?


  The idea that wealth and success should come from hard work , rather than Blanche's view of ancestry and heritage.
• Slavery during the 1940s

  There was a massive decrease in slavery , America infact was becoming multicultural. It had been however a major part of the economy particularly for plantation houses , which largely relied on the backs of slavery , slaves working on their estates making the owners extremely rich.- Completely contrasts to the modern setting of New Orleans.
• Where was Blanche DuBois Plantation house ?

  In a town called Laurel- represents her avarice and hubris , as well as linking her to a Goddess.
• What is a Southern Belle?

  A term used to describe the daughters of wealthy plantation owners, often used to describe beautiful women.
• What piece of literature created a negative image of the 'Southern Belle' and why ?

  Margaret Mitchell's 'Gone With the Wind' in 1936 with it's mercenary protagonist Scarlett O'Hara, who was associated with greed, and avarice( a focus on money)
• What were plantation houses ?


  These were large estates , where cash crops were grown , often cotton and sugar. These were often set up by French colonists. At attached to the plantation itself , would be a plantation house , where the owners would live

  
  

  They were often grand , big houses reflecting the wealth of their owners.
• What is New Orleans named after ?

  New Orleans is named after Orleans in France- a link to the original French colonisers.
• Context wise , what is the play plotted around ?

  The destruction of a particular set of attitudes , and way of life which were dying out in the Southern States . These were the values of the original French colonists dying out due to the growth of Modern America.
• Who was the state of Louisiana named after?


  King Louis XIV ( fourteen) Of France
• Who named the state of Louisiana ?And when ?

  A French explorer Rene- Robert Cavalier , who travelled down the Mississippi river claiming vast amounts of land in the Southern States. Named in 1682
• What does Blanche's mental decline embody ?


  The destruction of colonial values , and an old way of life associated with the original colonisers . The Southern States were beginning to emerge to the power of these new more modern American attitudes.
• What does the Paper Lantern represent for Blanche ?

  It's from Bourbon . A symbol of her culture , as well as wealth. She uses it to soften the harsh light of Staley and Stella's house , which represents her attitude towards life . She creates these facades for herself , almost as a way of self preservation , to hide from herself the destruction of colonial America and the power she believes she has associated with it , as it is too harsh for her to handle. Shows her in-ability to adapt to change , she is an anachronist, fantasist, delusional and frequently drinks to soften and avoid reality.
• How is Blanche a Southern Belle ?

  Obviously her past on the plantations , but she has certain expectations of life and men , Chivalric qualities , dislikes Stanley and New Orleans - hubris.
• Why does Blanche have a condescending attitude towards Stanley ?

  Because she believes he is vulgar , for being a Polish immigrant and of lower class, she sees him as common and describes him as 'Polack' - Sees his bloodlines as almost unclean compared to her ancestry.
• What does Blanche make lots of references to ?

  The metaphysical , poetic and philosophic , as well as reflective references , which show her education , as well as a yearning for the cultural Colonial World.
• What is the name of Blanche's plantation house ?

  'Belle Reve' French for Beautiful Dream. This links to her colonial past , the fact that it is a dream suggests, it no longer exists , it is gone , distant .
• Why is Blanche's name significant ?

  Links to the rural world- this prelapsarian colonial world - it is French and has a French background , linking to her ancestry as she has French bloodlines.
• What does Blanche and Stanley's relationship embody ?


  They are foil characters , representing opposing values and attitudes. Stanley's 'destruction' of Blanche embodies the destruction of Colonial America by Modern America.
• What does the Declaration of Independence state ?

  ' all men are created equal' and that they have rights to 'Life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness'. Contradicts Blanche's views , and there's no mention of women.
• Where is the idea of the American Dream rooted ?

  In the second sentence of the declaration of independence.
• What is the American Dream ? and who was it first expressed by ?

  First expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, It is the idea that citizens of every rank should feel as though they can achieve a 'better , richer and happier life'. Links to the views of Stanley Kowalski , despite his lack of education and wealth , he is hard working , which means he deserves a life of fulfilment.
• What was rapidly developing in America following World War 2 ?

  Sky scrapers were beginning to dominate the skylines in many major cities , industry developed at a rapid rate.
• What did America do to many European countries following WW2 ? And why was America able to do this ?

  Donated vast amounts of money to support these countries , Because it hadn't suffered WW2 like other European countries had , allowing it to thrive economically.
• New Orleans during 1947 :

  Was vibrant , multicultural , and had a cosmopolitan atmosphere. The races were mingling
• What happened following WW2 into America ?

  There was mass flooding of economic immigrants into America , many economic immigrants searching for work and opportunities following the war in this 'New World' of America.
• What was Tennessee Williams heavily influenced by ?

  German expressionism , utilising many of it's techniques.
• What Is German expressionism ?


  It was a dramatic form of a series of cultural and creative movements which took place in Germany post world war 1.
• Why did German expressionism happen ?

  After WW1 1914-1918 , Europe was poverty stricken , unlike America , which like following WW2 was left unscathed.

  American film had lavish designs, and costume , however German dramatists , couldn't afford to keep up with this . Theatre in Europe following WW1 became more expressionistic , and focused less on money and more on the 'Mise-en - scene' to create an intense yet cheap drama.
• What does mise-en-scene mean?

  The positioning of everything on stage , eg props , costume , and makeup.
• What was the overall aim of German expressionism ?


  To create a more symbolic , psychological reality, which is more emotional.
• What does German expressionism move away from ?

  Naturalism in theatre (a realistic version of reality on stage with an expensive set design)
• What did Williams insist about drama ?

  That the mise en scene , the positioning of characters and props on stage , is just as important as dialogue .

  
  

  Props , music , lighting , and costume , must all combine together , to enhance the action of play , theme , as well as the characters and their language.
• What is 'plastic theatre'?

  Williams' take on German expressionism , his own interpretation of it .
• When was WW2 fought?

  1939-1945
• What does Stanley Kowalski embody ?

  Modern , meritocratic America , as well as the emergence of industry and the American dream associated with it.