1. Aristotle’s Three Unities Unity of action Tragedy should follow a single action, from start to finish Unity of time Tragedy usually takes place over one day: “Tragedy endeavours, as far as possible, to confine itself to a single revolution of the sun, or but slightly to exceed this limit” Unity of place Aristotle says little about this, but later scholars interpret his work as suggesting Classical Tragedy should be confined to one location. Contextual reasons for this…? What are the importance of time and place in Streetcar?

2. The setting of the play Key questions: Where and when is this play set? Where and when is this play set? What is the significance of time and place here? What is the significance of time and place here? Elysian fields - in Greek mythology, the final resting places of the souls of the heroic and the virtuous L&N tracks – Louisville & Nashville rail built in 1855 and expanded to New Orleans in 1881 to transport products in and out of US River – The Mississippi

4. Streetcar Historical background Williams was working on the play during the Second World War; the play is set in the immediate post-War years. We discover that Stanley served in WWII. The play is set in the American south, in New Orleans. What are the importance of time and place in Streetcar?

5. The Deep South What do you know of the “Deep South”? Pre-Civil War (1861-65), the American South was to a great extent representative of the stereotypical image of the country – with cotton plantations, a landed elite who flaunted their inherited wealth and gentility and a slavery system based around the flourishing industries of tobacco and cotton. What are the importance of time and place in Streetcar?

6. Slavery and The Civil War While slavery was unpopular in the Northern States, the Southern States regarded it as essential for their tobacco and cotton industries. While slavery was unpopular in the Northern States, the Southern States regarded it as essential for their tobacco and cotton industries. When Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860 he promised (in a bid to keep the Union from breaking up) that slavery would continue to be legal in states where it already existed – this divided the country. When Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860 he promised (in a bid to keep the Union from breaking up) that slavery would continue to be legal in states where it already existed – this divided the country. At first the Northern half of the United States wanted only to stop slavery spreading to other states, but gradually as abolitionist (anti-slavery) feeling grew stronger, the total abolition of slavery became the declared aim of the North. At first the Northern half of the United States wanted only to stop slavery spreading to other states, but gradually as abolitionist (anti-slavery) feeling grew stronger, the total abolition of slavery became the declared aim of the North. The Civil War (1861-65) occurred when the Southern States tried to separate from the Union in order to protect their “state rights” – amongst them the right to practice slavery. The Civil War (1861-65) occurred when the Southern States tried to separate from the Union in order to protect their “state rights” – amongst them the right to practice slavery. The American Civil War ended with the Confederate surrender in April 1865. As the Southern States had lost the war, many Southerners looked back wistfully to the plantation life that had characterised the antebellum (pre- Civil War) south. The American Civil War ended with the Confederate surrender in April 1865. As the Southern States had lost the war, many Southerners looked back wistfully to the plantation life that had characterised the antebellum (pre- Civil War) south.

7. The American Dream As the traditional South declined, the Northern States prospered. Industry flourished and immigrants from all over the world arrived to make America their new home in a bid to achieve the American Dream... As the traditional South declined, the Northern States prospered. Industry flourished and immigrants from all over the world arrived to make America their new home in a bid to achieve the American Dream... But what is “the American Dream”? But what is “the American Dream”?

8. Immigration into the USA Chinese Exclusion Act 1882 – capped number of Chinese people allowed to immigrate into the US. By 1907, a government commissioned report found that European immigration into the US had shifted from NW Europe to SE Europe Influx of southern and eastern Europeans became known, from 1880s on, as the “New Immigration.” Between 1880 and 1924, in excess of 2 million eastern Europeans arrived in US. Primarily, these from Poland, and were either Catholic or Jewish. Immigration was restricted by the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 and the Immigration Act of 1924, designed to curb the tide of New Immigration. A literacy requirement was also made mandatory in 1917; this was designed to restrict the number of “unskilled” immigrants.

9. New Orleans

10. The New Orleans Setting New Orleans was once the major city of its region. New Orleans was once the major city of its region. It is a port town; as such, it was an incredibly multicultural place It is a port town; as such, it was an incredibly multicultural place In particular, a distinct Louisiana Creole culture emerged from the mix of French, Haitian, and Spanish settlers In particular, a distinct Louisiana Creole culture emerged from the mix of French, Haitian, and Spanish settlers In the C19, there were a large number of free black people in NO. In the C19, there were a large number of free black people in NO. But the city, as a major port, also boasted the region’s largest slave market. But the city, as a major port, also boasted the region’s largest slave market. In the C19, the city had black elected representatives, and an integrated school system – but this latter would be reversed by Democrats in the C20. In the C19, the city had black elected representatives, and an integrated school system – but this latter would be reversed by Democrats in the C20. (Democrats/Dixiecrats/Republicans/ Civil Rights movement) (Democrats/Dixiecrats/Republicans/ Civil Rights movement)

11. The New Orleans Setting N.O. is known for its festival season, especially Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday” – Shrove Tuesday) N.O. is known for its festival season, especially Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday” – Shrove Tuesday) The religious/spiritual culture of the area is syncretic – a blend of Catholicism (from France and Span) and African religious practices The religious/spiritual culture of the area is syncretic – a blend of Catholicism (from France and Span) and African religious practices N.O. is associated with Voodoo – this is different from, but related to, Haitian Vodou, and Hoodoo N.O. is associated with Voodoo – this is different from, but related to, Haitian Vodou, and Hoodoo Haitian culture has affected N.O. – many Haitians immigrated to the area Haitian culture has affected N.O. – many Haitians immigrated to the area N.O. is also known for its cuisine, especially Gumbo – again, a culturally mixed dish, drawing on French, Spanish, and African traditions N.O. is also known for its cuisine, especially Gumbo – again, a culturally mixed dish, drawing on French, Spanish, and African traditions For many, N.O. is also the home of jazz music – many notable jazz musicians hail from NO; the show Treme is in many ways a showcase for current jazz talent. For many, N.O. is also the home of jazz music – many notable jazz musicians hail from NO; the show Treme is in many ways a showcase for current jazz talent. Brief history of jazz & blues... Brief history of jazz & blues...