A Streetcar Named Desire Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing Tennessee Williams' 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.

Tennessee Williams

Playwright (1911-1983) whose life influenced his works, exploring themes like loneliness and depression.

Southern Belle (Edwina Williams)

Williams' mother, representing high-society Southern women focused on social status.

Civil War Context

Play set post-Civil War, highlighting the South's loss and enduring racism/poverty.

New Orleans

Emerged post-Depression as a diverse, accepting city with a growing industrial economy.

Old vs. New South

Play contrasts the intolerant 'Old South' (Mississippi/DuBois) with the liberal 'New South' (New Orleans/Elysian Fields).

American Dream (Stanley)

Achieving success through hard work, contrasting Blanche's reliance on old money.

Post-WWII Gender Roles

Challenges the push for women to return to traditional roles, reflecting New Orleans' progressive views.

Masculine/Feminine Energy

Challenges norms; Blanche displays masculine sexuality, while Mitch shows feminine sensitivity.

Racism

Explores prejudice against European immigrants (like Stanley), not African-Americans.

Religion/Morality

Critiques double standards in sexual morality, seen in Blanche's ostracization vs. Stanley's impunity.

Marxist Lens

Views Stanley as a working-class hero defeating the old aristocracy (Blanche), symbolizing the future.

Feminist Lens

Critiques patriarchy, portraying women (Blanche) as victims of masculine power/sexual violence (Stanley).

Expressionism

Abstract portrayal of reality through sounds, symbols, sets, and props.

Varsouviana Polka

Reflects Blanche’s guilt and mental deterioration, using sound to shift between delusion and reality.