In his introduction to the play, Arthur Miller writes about the firs time he saw 'A Streetcar Named Desire' performed on stage, and how the play changed the world of theatre. He said that this play distinguished itself from most other plays at the time because of its unusual realism in terms of character and dialogue. He talks about the poetic, soulful nature of the play and the influence that it had on he future of theatre.
At the end of the introduction, Miller says that. over time, through stagnation and over-performance streetcar has lot it's edge. Talking about how uninspired some of the actors portraying the characters were, he says: "Their characters have been turned to stone, their eyes to marble. Streetcar is a cry of pain; forgetting that is to forget the play."
Task #2 - Research and make notes on the following:
Southern Belle: This term refers to the stereotypical representation of a young women in the upper class of America's 'Deep South'. Characteristics of a typical 'Southern Belle' include: Refined clothes such as dresses and corsets and pale porcelain skin.
They were also expected to marry into wealth and status. They were supposed to raise a family and dedicate themselves to community. Another expectation of the 'Southern Belle' is that they maintained a 'flirtatious yet chaste demeanor'.
New Orleans: New Orleans has always been one of the most culturally diverse cities in America, as well as being the biggest city in the state of Louisiana The 'melting pot' of races, identities and cultures has produced many unique festivals, types of music and food.While it has wealthy areas, much of the city (which was traditionally split into 'quarters') is relatively poor.
Immigration to the United States in the 20th Century: At the start of the 20th century, immigrants coming into the USA mostly consisted of Eastern and Southern Europeans (about 70%), mostly coming in search of work, or a 'better life'. Immigration hit a high of 9 million in the first decade of the new century. Many of these European immigrants were used as cheap labour in areas such as: coal mining, steel mills, textile mills and needlework factories. The work and living conditions were unsanitary and often dangerous. An Italian saying sums up the feelings of many immigrants of the time: "I came to America because I heard the streets were paved with gold. When I got here, found out three things: First, the streets weren't paved with gold; second, they weren't paved at all: and third, I was expected to pave them."
Tennessee Williams' Other Plays: Williams had a career spanning almost half a century. Aside from Streetcar, some of his other most famous plays include: The Glass Menagerie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Sweet Bird of Youth. Williams also wrote novels, short stories and poetry.
Williams' Life and Times: Tennessee Williams was born in Columbus, Mississippi on the 26th of March in the year 1911. His father was an alcoholic, often abusive travelling salesman, who was not often at home. His mother was the typical doting 'Southern Belle', who focused much of her attention and affection on her son. During his early years, Williams was often sick, once with a particularly bad case of Diptheria which nearly caused his death and left him recuperating for a year.
When he was 8, his father was promoted, which required the family to move to St. Louis, Missouri. The move affected the family greatly, the move causing a case of psuedo-culture shock.
Over the course of his life, Williams struggled with coming to terms with his homosexuality, and went through several turbulent relationships and affairs with various men.
In his later life, he began to struggle with both alcohol and drug addiction.
Four years before his death, Williams was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.
On the 25th of February, 1983, Williams was found dead in his hotel room. Initially, it was believed that he had choked to death, but it was later reported that he died of a drug overdose.
Task #3 - Key Character Quotes
Blanche:
- "Deliberate cruelty is unforgivable, and the one thing of which I have never,ever been guilty of."
- "I don't want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes, magic. I try to give that to people. I do misrepresent things. I don't tell truths. I tell what ought to be truth."
- "I know I fib a good deal. After all, a woman's charm is 50% illusion."
- "Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers."
Stanley:
- "I never met a dame yet that didn't know if she was good-looking or not without being told, and there's some of them that give themselves credit for more than they've got."
- "Now that's how I'm gonna clear the table. Don't you ever talk that way to me. 'Pig,' 'Pollack,' 'disgusting,' 'vulgar,' 'greasy.' Those kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister's tongue just too much around here. What do you think you are? A pair of queens? Now just remember what Huey Long said - that every man's a king - and I'm the King around here, and don't you forget it."
- "You know what luck is? Luck is believing you're lucky, that's all... To hold a front position in this rat-race, you've got to believe you are lucky"
Stella:
- "The blind are leading the blind!"
- "Actually, I was sorta thrilled by it."
- " I never listen to you when you're being morbid."
- " I wish you'd stop taking it for granted that I'm in something I want to get out of."
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