Problem
You should use specific examples and even quotes from the text. I am requiring you to use at least 2 quotes per prompt. Providing these examples and quotes helps support and explain your view of the text. (Minimum: 300 words per prompt)
A. WIthout question, the most significant event of Maya's childhood in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is her sexual assault. How does Maya take the trauma of her rape and then, her self-imposed vow of silence, to eventually find peace and a new understanding of herself? How can something dark actually help us find light and positivity?
B. In A Streetcar Named Desire, gender roles are an integral part of the play. First, explain how men and women are presented in the play, regarding their gender and place in society. Next, consider gender roles today. Have they changed since the play was written 1947? Explain how. Also, how do you see the role of men and women?
C. Mental illness is a significant part of understanding Blanche as a character. Using her behavior and interactions with other characters, how would you categorize or explain her mental illness? What factors contributed to her mental illness? Do you think that Tennessee Williams intends for the audience to be sympathetic towards Blanche? Finally, do you believe that mental illness remains a taboo topic today? Why or why not?
D. In A Streetcar Named Desire, is there a clear hero or villain in the story? Are there any characters that represent both of these? Considering a character like Stanley, why would some people admire him and dislike Blanche? Consider even minor characters in this prompt. Which character or characters do you admire or not admire in the play and why?
E. Tennessee Williams frequently uses color in the play to describe different characters, symbolically representing their personalities, events, and even the choices they make. Explore the many types of colors used by connecting them to the appropriate character. Also explain how the color(s) relates to them. Why does he use different types of colors for different characters and scenes? Lastly, if you could personally choose a set of colors for yourself (3-5), what would they be and why?