P3+Jordan+M+and+Josh+E

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====Elysium is, according to Greek mythology, the final resting place for souls residing in the Underworld. Many different authors have claimed different figures as the ruler of Elysium, the most commonly accepted being Kronos, as stated by Pindar. The Elysian fields, according to Homer's Odyssey, are located on the western margin of the earth, near Oceanus. This is where the “mortal relatives of the kin of the gods were transported” (Wikipedia Authors).====

====Tennessee Williams, born Thomas Lanier Williams, was an American playwright who wrote //A Streetcar Named Desire//, for which he one the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1948. Williams was born in 1914 in Mississippi. He spent many years traveling throughout the United States. His first successful play was //The Glass Menagerie//, which opened in Chicago, and later went to Broadway. This play one Williams a Pulitzer Prize, the New York Drama Critics' Award, and the New York Film Critics' Award when it was made into a motion picture. In the 1960's, Williams wrote //The Night of the Iguana// (1961), and //The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Any More// (1963), both of which received much criticism for addressing what many at the time considered taboo topics. Williams slowly became very dependent on drugs and alcohol after the death of his life partner, Frank Merlo. In 1969, his brother hospitalized him. ====

“ Tennessee Williams: About Tennessee Williams”. //American Masters.// 2010 Educational Broadcasting Corporation. January 10, 2010.
Jordan McMahon
 * New Orleans 1940- 1950 **

In the 1940's, New Orleans was a primary location for jazz musicians. Around this time, a new subgenre of jazz, known as bebop, was developed. Bebop consisted of fast tempos, intricate melodies, and complex harmonies. This genre of jazz was considered by many to be "jazz for the intellectuals." Large bands were replaced by smaller groups, who performed not for dancers, but for listeners.

"History of Jazz: Black History in America." //Scholastic.// January 10, 2010.

Napoleonic Code
Jordan McMahon



The Napoleonic Code, enacted by Napoleon I in 1804, was the first modern organized body of law set into place to govern France. These codes brought to France stability, which France greatly lacked at the time. Prior to these codes being set into place, France had ended a two year civil war. These codes granted France the security it lacked at the time, but also restricted the personal liberty of its people. Under Napoleonic Code, all citizens (excluding women) were legally equal. Women were not allowed to testify in court or sell property without consent from their husbands, giving men all of the power in French society.

Brown, Lorri. “Napoleonic Code.” //French History Suite 101.// Suite 101. January 10, 2010.

= = = = = = = = =Belle Reve= Josh Elder



Belle Reve, in A Car Named Desire, is referring to a plantation that Blanche’s ancestors had. It was in Laurel, Mississippi but was “lost” due to the “epic fornications” of her ancestors. “Belle Reve is French, but translated it means ‘Beautiful Dream” (Wikipedia). It’s a name or phase that gives a lot of positive thoughts. It can give hope to people that have lost the hope that they once had. People can’t think about it as a beautiful dream that WILL happen. They need to think about it as a beautiful dream that is there but still not impossible. It gives someone the motivation to do something rather than nothing and really people do need that.

"A Streetcar Named Desire (play) -." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. Web. 11 Jan. 2010. .

=The Varsouviana Polka= Josh Elder

 In A Streetcar Named Desire, The Varsouviana Polka is played when Blanche thinks of when her husband dies. It is a very waltz sounding while being very classical and formal. “It is always interrupted by a gunshot” (associated content). The score represents how something can always linger with you even when it seems like it has no relevance. This song forever curses Blanche, remembering it and hearing it again and again. This can have a huge emotional effect on anybody with some kind of song or act that can be done to trigger these thoughts. In Blanche’s case, it is always a two step rhythm and an abrupt end with a gunshot to top it off.

"The Musical Score in A Streetcar Named Desire, Page 5 of 6 -." //Associated Content - associatedcontent.com//. Web. 11 Jan. 2010. .

=Tragedy= Josh Elder



Tragedy is a natural part of any person’s life. If one thing on this planet never had some kind of tragedy happen to it, they would not be living. “ __ [|Tragedy is a tool for the living to gain wisdom, not a guide by which to live.] __ ” (Robert Francis Kennedy). Tragedy has brought down every person in this world. Unfortunately, a lot of those people that go down, stay down for the count. Much like Blanche’s experience with her husband and how he shot himself. She let that tragedy stick with her forever and she does absolutely nothing about it. It’s a perfect example of tragedy taking over someone’s life. It is definitely not what should happen if tragedy ever comes into someone’s life.

"Tragedy quotes." //Find the famous quotes you need, ThinkExist.com Quotations.// Web. 11 Jan. 2010. .