Context & Writers Techniques (Edexcel A-Level English Literature): Revision Notes

Context & Writer's Techniques

Context of 'A Streetcar Named Desire'

Tennessee Williams: Life and Background

Early Life

• Born Thomas Lanier Williams III in 1911 in Columbus, Mississippi.

• Had a difficult childhood with an unhappy family life; his father was an alcoholic and his mother, a Southern belle, was controlling.

• Close relationship with his sister Rose, who later suffered from mental illness and was institutionalised. Career

• Adopted the pen name "Tennessee" in college, named after his home state.

• Became a prominent playwright with works like "The Glass Menagerie" (1944) and "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1947).

• His works often explored themes of desire, mental illness, and the fragility of human relationships.

  

Tennessee Williams

Personal Struggles

• Williams was gay and lived during a time when homosexuality was considered a mental illness.
• Struggled with his own mental health, loneliness, and addiction throughout his life.

History of "A Streetcar Named Desire"

Writing and Performance

• Written in 1947, premiered on Broadway on December 3, 1947.

• Directed by Elia Kazan, the play starred Marlon Brando as Stanley and Jessica Tandy as Blanche. Performance History

• Adapted into a successful film in 1951, also directed by Elia Kazan, with Brando reprising his role.

• Continues to be performed worldwide, known for its enduring relevance and powerful themes. Reception

• Initially received with critical acclaim, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1948.

• Praised for its raw portrayal of complex characters and social issues.

Literary Contexts

Genre of the Play

• Tragedy and Social Drama: Classified as a tragedy, focusing on the downfall of its protagonist, Blanche DuBois.

• Incorporates elements of social drama, highlighting the struggles of individuals within societal constraints.

• Psychological Realism: Emphasises psychological depth and realism, exploring the inner lives of its characters. Historical and Political Context

• Post-World War II America: Set in the late 1940s, reflecting the social changes and tensions of the time.

• America was transitioning from wartime unity to peacetime normalcy, with an emphasis on traditional family roles and economic prosperity.

• Southern Gothic: The play is steeped in Southern Gothic tradition, highlighting decay, grotesque elements, and the conflict between the old and new South. Cultural and Social Context

• Gender Roles and Sexuality: Critiques the rigid gender roles and expectations of post-war American society.

• Explores themes of female sexuality and the stigmatisation of women who deviate from societal norms.

• Class and Race: Examines class conflict, particularly between the old Southern aristocracy (Blanche) and the rising working class (Stanley).

• Touches on racial issues subtly, using the diverse setting of New Orleans as a backdrop for these tensions. Philosophical Context

• Existentialism and Human Fragility: Explores existential themes such as the search for meaning, the inevitability of death, and the fragility of human identity.

• Characters struggle with their sense of self and reality, highlighting the transient nature of human existence.

• Morality and Redemption: While not overtly religious, the play delves into moral questions about sin, redemption, and the human capacity for cruelty and compassion.

• Reflects on the Christian principles that underpin American society, particularly in the South.

Useful Contextual Concepts

• Southern Gothic: Understand the characteristics of Southern Gothic literature, including its focus on decay, grotesque elements, and the conflict between tradition and progress.
• Psychological Realism: Be aware of the emphasis on psychological depth and realism in the play, reflecting the characters' inner conflicts and motivations.
• Class and Race: Look for the play's examination of class tensions and subtle commentary on racial issues within the diverse setting of New Orleans.
• Post-World War II America: Recognise the social and cultural shifts in America during the late 1940s, particularly regarding gender roles, class dynamics, and economic change.
• Gender Roles and Sexuality: Understand the critique of traditional gender roles and the exploration of female sexuality in a patriarchal society.

Writer's Techniques in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'

Realism

Authentic Dialogue

• Williams uses realistic dialogue to capture the natural speech patterns of the characters, reflecting their socio-economic backgrounds.

• 📝 Example: Stanley's brusque and direct speech contrasts sharply with Blanche's poetic and refined language: "I don't want realism. I want magic!" (Scene Nine). Detailed Setting

• The detailed setting of the New Orleans apartment and its surroundings enhances the realism of the play.

• 📝 Example: The stage directions describe the setting vividly: "The kitchen now suggests that sort of lurid nocturnal brilliance, the raw colours of childhood's spectrum" (Scene One).

Expressionism

Symbolic Use of Light

• Light is used symbolically to represent truth and reality, which Blanche seeks to avoid.
• 📝 Example: Blanche covers a naked light bulb with a paper lantern to soften its harshness:

"I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action" (Scene Three).

Music and Sound Effects

• Music and sound effects are used to reflect the characters' inner states and to foreshadow events.
• 📝 Example: The recurring use of the Varsouviana polka music, which plays in Blanche's mind, symbolises her guilt and mental instability:

"The Varsouviana is heard, its music rising with sinister rapidity" (Scene Nine).

Symbolism

Blanche's Bathing

• Blanche's frequent bathing symbolises her desire to cleanse herself of her past and her guilt.
• 📝 Example: Blanche says

"I think I will bathe. My nerves are in knots. Is the bathroom occupied?" (Scene Seven), highlighting her need for purification.

The Paper Lantern

• The paper lantern Blanche uses to cover the light bulb symbolises her attempt to mask reality and create illusions.
• 📝 Example: When Mitch tears the lantern off, he exposes the harsh truth:

"He tears the paper lantern off the light bulb. She utters a frightened gasp" (Scene Nine).

Characterisation

Complex Characters

• Williams creates complex characters with deep psychological backgrounds, contributing to the play's realism and depth.

• 📝Example: Blanche is portrayed as a tragic figure haunted by her past, while Stanley is depicted as a brutish yet charismatic man. Use of Dialogue

• The dialogue reveals the characters' motivations, backgrounds, and conflicts.

• 📝Example: Blanche's past is slowly revealed through her conversations with Mitch and Stanley, such as when she says, "I don't want realism. I want magic!" (Scene Nine).

Flashbacks and Non-linear Structure

Temporal Shifts

• Williams employs flashbacks to reveal Blanche's past and the events that led her to her current state.

• 📝Example: Blanche's memory of her husband's suicide is depicted through fragmented recollections: "We danced the Varsouviana!" (Scene Six). Character Development

• The non-linear structure allows for gradual character development and the unfolding of backstories.

• 📝Example: The audience learns about Blanche's troubled past and the loss of Belle Reeve through her interactions and memories.

Use of Stage Directions

Detailed Descriptions

• Williams' stage directions provide detailed descriptions of settings, actions, and even the emotions of characters, enhancing the play's depth.

• 📝Example: The opening stage directions describe the setting in vivid detail: "The exterior of a two-story corner building on a street in New Orleans which is named Elysian Fields" (Scene One). Atmosphere Creation

• The stage directions help create the atmosphere and mood of the play.

• 📝Example: The description of the sound of the "blue piano" music sets the tone for the New Orleans setting: "The music of the 'blue piano' grows louder" (Scene One).