context

old vs new south

Blanche embodies the aristocratic values of the Old South

Stanley represents the working class, industrial new south

clash between the two worlds

southern gothic

themes of violence, decay, and the clash of old vs new south values

lyrical writing style which explores tension and social issues

southern belle

blanche embodies the southern belle

traditional values of delicacy and purity

male counterpart of the southern gentleman who should be chivalrous and upper class

blanche struggles to cling onto her southern belle identity in the new south

belle reve

translates to ‘Beautiful Dream’ in french yet the expression is gramatically incorrect

antithesis to new orleans

architecture of belle reve is similar to that of plantation houses, american civil war

gender

women were typically highly dependent on men, especially financially

value placed on women having a domestic role in the home while men were the providers

large emphasis on societal gender norms

realism

creates an illusion of real life on stage

plot is secondary to the inner life of the characters

characters are shaped by their circumstances

plastic theatre

expressionism

devices used to make inner life clear to the audience

visual distortions in the set

monologues and silences

williams’ life

his sister rose spent much of her life in a mental institution

traumatised by rose’s behaviour and mortified by his deep fear of suffering the same fate

rose’s mental collapse urges inspired Blanche

feminist approach to the text

Stanley and Stella represent traditional gender roles, dominance vs dependence

negative portrayal of Blanche’s sexuality

original title was ‘The Poker Night’ - Stanley becomes centered

genderlects

Blanche gains power through her education - not typical of women at the time

alternative titles for the play

The Poker Night

The Moth

The Primary Colours

Blanche’s Chair In The Moon