Context Topic Context Explained How does this context link to the play? Quotes to support links (note which scene your quote is from) Tennessee Williams Tennessee Williams was born Thomas Lanier Williams III in Columbus, Mississippi, in 1 9 1 1 . Much of the tragedy found in Williams’s drama was influenced by the playwright’s own life. Alcoholism, depression, frustrated desire, loneliness, and insanity were all part of Williams’s world. His experience as a known homosexual in an era unfriendly to homosexuality also informed his work. Williams’s most memorable characters, many of them female, contain recognizable elements of their author as he was seen as effeminate himself. His vulgar, irresponsible male characters, such as Stanley Kowalski, were likely modeled on Williams’s own father and other males who tormented Williams during his childhood. Williams often felt weak and vulnerable and modelled his female characters on this – Blanche in particular shows this. Blanche: Married? No, no. I’m an old maid schoolteacher! Mitch: You may teach school but you’re certainly not an old maid. Blanche: Thank you, sir! I appreciate your gallantry! (Scene 3) The South (Belle Reve and Plantations) The Great Depression His male characters were usually vulgar and dominating like the men in Williams’ own life like his father. Stanley embodies this as do the other men. Even characters like Mitch show Williams’ (who is arguably represented in Blanche) low expectations of men. Geographical Context: New Orleans in the 1940s. World War II and it’s lasting influence in America. New ideals: The American Dream Race and Class Segregation in 1940s America Genre: Dramatic naturalism & Psychological drama