streetcar

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Aaron Fiorini 5/3/10 Warm-Up Activity Partner up and try to have a conversation with other people in the group, however during the middle of the discussion change your mind on everything, and then latter do it again, this would show what life was like in the beginning of Williams’ life. How might this effect his books and his view of the mind? Schizophrenia- comes from the Greek roots Schizo and phren Schizo=Cleave Phren= Mind The definition of schizophrenia could literally mean the splitting of the mind, or a mental disorder where the person show interference, withdrawal, and hallucinations.

Tennessee Williams was close to his sister, how do you think that the schizophrenia will effect the sections latter in the book? Remember that Zelda Fitzgerald also had schizophrenia and that Fitzgerald left her in an asylum and went on with his life. Williams had to deal with his sister being put into an asylum, and how might this effect him on how he shows the power of the mind vs. Fitzgerald? Lobotomy consists of cutting the connections to and from the prefrontal cortex, the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain. Normally it had frequent and serious side-effects. The book was written in 1947, ten years after a failed attempt to cure the schizophrenia, by a prefrontal lobotomy, incapacitating her for the rest of her life. How might Tennessee Williams show doctors in a more negative light while at the same time trying to create the mentally ill people into a “Golden Girl?” __**Discussion Questions**__ 1. During his childhood, Williams had to face a constant battle between his parents. His mother used him in the arguments to where Williams’ father started calling him Miss Nancy. How might this battle within the family effect the portrayal of husband and wife in this book? 2. Williams never played poker in his life, yet already poker has been mentioned in the book, how might this be part of his resentment toward his father, who gambled away a good part of his paycheck? 3. Williams was so shy that he skipped his own graduation, however at the same time he had a close group of friends that he bonded with, how might Williams’ fear of the public show up in this book, or is it possible with the development of the characters? 4. When Williams’ was young, and while his parents were arguing: “He would escape to Forest Park, it was perhaps at the zoo that he first envisioned his household as a menagerie, each member caught in a separate cage.” Considering this quote, who in the book seems to be in a separate cage, are they all in the same cage or different ones? 5. The Napoleonic code (40) has been brought up in the book and Stanley uses the code to try and see what Blanche is hiding from him. In William’s life he thought they were poor because his father held back the money because he thought Williams’ mother was holding something back. How is this conflict already shown in the book, and how might it effect what happens latter? 6. Blanche seems to have an alcohol problem (19). Williams’ like Fitzgerald had a lifelong obsession with liquor, do you thick that Williams’ will use his book like Fitzgerald to predict his death, or will the liquor be an escape route for the characters?

Jillian Goodman 5-6-10 Warm up To bring up the subject of domestic violence, partner up, with one starting in the dominating side, with the other acting in the submissive side. The submissive side will be given a subject to bring up to their partner, and their partner must either dismiss or accept the subject while maintaining clear dominance and control. The submissive side must present their subject in a stronger and stronger way until their roles seem to switch. We will discuss the feelings when the roles seem to switch to find relevance in how and why abuse can be spawned.

Discussion Questions 1. Stanley almost immediately shows remorse for striking Stella, but it seems that this is not the first time it has happened. Is it truly possible that he is changing, or is his violence going to be a recurring pattern? 2. Where else do we see patterns of abuse, 'remorse' and forgiveness in readings or in life? 3. Does Stanley really feel remorseful or is he faking sorrow for the sake of his marriage? 4. Why does Stella return to Stanley and how does this mentality shape modern behavior? 5. Blanche offers sound reasoning for she and Stella to leave, but Stella still stays with her husband. What does this say about the strength of sisterhood? 6. How could Mitch's interaction with the women have contributed to Stanley's violence? 7. Why do the other men at the poker game calm Stanley down, but then deny that the violence was his fault when stating that "Poker should not be played in a house with women"?

Bernardo Trindade 5/10/10 Warm-up: To help understand the complexity of male vs. female dominance, we'll discuss who is right in their attempts to undermine the other. Stanley or Blanche. Those who are undecided I'll assign to argue one side. Is Stanley justified in his abuse of Stella and ruining her chance at marriage? Is Blanche right to try and destroy her sister's marriage for her own safety and freedom? Regardless of the outcome of this mini debate the group will both present and hear ideas as to which gender should be in control

Discussion Questions 1.In the opening of scene five Blanche laughs at herself for being a liar and trying to write a letter to a man she knows in Dallas. Why was she writing that letter and what did she lie about? 2. Why didn't Eunice call the cops? 3. Why does Blanche deny ever wanting to be in the hotel Flamingo, even when it was revealed she practically lived there? Was it so that no one would suspect her, or to try and get a fresh start? 4. On page 79, Blanche says "I never was hard or self-sufficient enough. ...You've got to be //soft and attractive.// And I-I'm fading now! I don't know how much longer I can turn the trick." She is almost admitting to her past mistakes, and wants to end it. Why did she turn to promiscuity to begin with? 5. Why does Mitch consider marrying Blanche? 6. How did finding her husband in bed with another man change Blanche's life and view of relationships? Why did her husband kill himself? 7. In the end, who's actions are justified? Stanley, Blanche, or both?

Jonathan Pless 5/12/10 Chapters 8 and 9

Summary Response Link

Warm-up:

· The self as not just a person, but a God, a connection of nature. · Anima and Animus- divine couple · The shadow · Family archetypes o The father: Stern, powerful, controlling o The mother: Feeding, nurturing, soothing o The child: Birth, beginnings, salvation · Story archetypes o The hero: Rescuer, champion o The maiden: Purity, desire o The wise old man: Knowledge, guidance o The magician: Mysterious, powerful o The earth mother: Nature o The witch or sorceress: Dangerous o The trickster: Deceiving, hidden · Animal archetypes o The faithful dog: Unquestioning loyalty o The enduring horse: Never giving up o The devious cat: Self-serving  These archetypes are a list of jungian archetypes. Identify which ones fit with the context of the book.

Discussion Questions:

1. Based on Jung's theory how do archetypes bring meaning to (or help us relate or understand) A Streetcar Named Desire?

2. Carl Jung argues the position that Modern Man, under the stress of modern life, deprived of the spiritual connections of the past and unable to forge true spiritual connections in a world where the "Dynamo" and materialism prevail as "gods" and communication with others is lost, will be gradually stripped of "civilization", evolving backwards into "savagery". Does this play support Jungian theory? In what ways?

3. Stanley, Blanche, and Stella become increasingly short-tempered. Why do think their tempers are escalating so fast?

4. What does William’s depiction of Blanche and Stanley’s lives say about desire?

5. In scene 8, Stella insists that Stanley not leave to go bowling and demands an explanation from him for his cruelty to Blanche. Has she finally found her “dominant side” or is she just wrapped up in the heat of the situation at the moment?

6. Since the author of this book was homosexual, how do you think that plays into the archetype of anima or divine couples/ true love?

Ziven Chinburg 5/12/10 Warm-Up Activity One person in the group will get out a piece of paper. On this piece of paper, the group will list five symbols and motifs. Writing is acceptable, but drawing is preferred. Also, an explanation is required for every symbol. Then, the group will rank the symbols, based on their own opinions. Afterword, I may decide to give out a reward for a job well done. Discussion Questions 1. What specific colors stand out to you, in this book? Why? What significance do these colors have?

2. What specific image from the book stands out to you? Why?

3. How do you feel in regard to the end of the book? Did you like the ending, hate it, or were you apathetic to it?

4. How was the ending foreshadowed throughout the book?

5. What symbols and/or motifs of sexual desire do you spot in the book? What makes them symbols and/or motifs of sexual desire?

6. What symbols and/or motifs are associated with Blanche's mental issues? How?

Trey Haltom 5/12/10 1. How does the title relate to the book, and Do you think it is a good title for the play? 2. What symbols changed their meaning through the course of the play? 3. Who is most “right” in this society? ( Blanche, Stanley, Stella, Mitch) 4. How does the phrase “casting pearls before swine” relate to the whole play? 5. What does the paper lantern represent in the play? 6. What does  Shep Huntleigh symbolize for Blanche? 7. What movement would this book fit under? ( realist, modernist, etc…) 8. What is the most important symbol for this play?
 * __ Warm-Up Activity __** : After warm up part 1, discuss how the last scene related to former stories we have read this semester, and discuss what the overall meaning of the book was. Separate into two groups, One group thinks about the motif of desire, and one group thinks about the motif of personal history.
 * __ Discussion Questions: __**