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Elysian Fields
By: Gavin Cude The Elysian Fields originated in Classical Greek Mythology and Literature, and has been adapted and used in many pieces of Modern Literature. The Britannica Online Encyclopedia describes the Elysian Fields as, “a place in the afterlife in which the heroic and virtuous, and those favored by the gods, lived in eternal happiness” (Elysium). This placed was reserved for the honored only, and they had no suffering. The Elysium Fields can be equated to Valhalla of Norse Myth. Once admitted into the Elysium fields, one lived in eternal happiness, and was immortal. Everything was provided in this peaceful place. The Elysium fields are usually described as a large field of green grass, with trees and other vegetation. The inhabitants live throughout this plain. This idea, of a resting place for the heroic and virtuous has been equated into modern literature, but usually it has been altered slightly. In original Greek Mythology, only the Gods could permit someone to reside in the Fields after death. However, this part has largely been pushed aside with the idea that it is one’s actions that gain admittance.

"Elysium (Greek Mythology)." Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Web. 07 Jan. 2010.

Tennessee Williams
By: Gavin Cude

Tennessee Williams, who is an award winning author of many plays, was born on March 26, 1911. He changed his name to Tennessee, after the place of his father's birth. His biography states "He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for //A Street Car Named Desire// and //Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" ( Tennessee Williams). However, he wrote many other plays throughout his career as well, some of which were turned into films. He spent years living in New Orleans, which is the setting for his play A Street Car Named Desire. Williams was also homosexual, and had a long relationship with Frank Merlo, and it was reported that they lived happily together. His death however, was quite unflattering. Williams used to take eye drops every day, and would hold the cap in his mouth while he did it. It was upon this cap that he choked, and died. Contrary to his wishes to be buried at sea, like one of his revered poets, he was buried at a church in St. Luis.

"Tennessee Williams." //ETSU Home//. Web. 11 Jan. 2010.//

New Orleans: Circa 1940-1950
By: Gavin Cude



New Orleans. A city of dreams and wonders. New Orleans has always been a place of festival and riches. However, according to the New Orleans Website, "around the midpoint of the century, the economic decline began" (New Orleans History & Heritage). New Orleans was beginning to lose ground to other sister cities, such as Houston, Texas. However, people still flocked to the city, and traditions and festivals like Mardi Gras continued on. This was the city that Tennessee Williams lived in when he worked on his play //A Streetcar Named Desire.// Even though the economic decline continued, many people still moved into the city and the surrounding area. However, these were mostly of lower income classes, and the division between the rich and the poor grew. Places such as the French Quarter became rich and famous, while the Lower Ninth Ward became the inhabitance of minorities and the poor. Still, it was a city of lights, wonder, and fun.

"New Orleans History & Heritage." //New Orleans Online - The City of New Orleans' Official Tourism Web Site // . Web. 10 Jan. 2010.

Napoleonic Code
By: Gregory Christakos The Napoleonic Code, created by Napoleon Bonaparte, was a civil code for France created in 1804. The code set out to replace the confusing old feudal laws of France. According to the article, Napoleonic Code, “The Napoleonic Code is a revised version of the Roman law or Civil Law, which predominated in Europe, with numerous French modifications, some of which were based on the Germanic law that had been in effect in northern France” (Napoleonic Code). The Napoleonic Code was a collection of laws that in general governed transactions and relations between individuals. The code itself is well known for the fact that it did away with old feudal privileges based upon birth. It also allowed the freedom of religion, and made sure that government jobs go to the most qualified. Many of the ideas from the Napoleonic Code came from Justinian’s Code during the Roman era. The Code, even today, has been a document that has affected many countries around the world in one shape or another.

“Napoleonic Code.” //Law Library – American Law and Legal Information//. Web. 07 Jan. 2010.

Belle Reve
By: Gregory Christakos Belle Reve is a French word meaning literally ‘beautiful dream’. In society, the word is used to describe places of magnificence, or something a person would only dream of. According to wiki answers, Belle Reve “refers to Blanche and Stella’s ancestral home in Laurel, Mississippi”. This illustration from //A Streetcar named Desire//, shows that the two figures find their home to be something of a dream. This example shows how Belle Reve is used in society to describe certain places. Their home might not necessarily be what we think of a ‘beautiful dream’ but to them it is. The saying that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” applies to the underlying meaning of Belle Reve. It is all a matter of perspective, and anywhere can be thought of as a dream to the eye of the beholder. This in general is the greater meaning to Belle Reve.

“Belle Reve.” //Answers, The World’s leading Q&A site//. Web. 07 Jan. 2010.

By: Gregory Christakos
The Varsouviana polka is a form of music that is centuries old. This type of polka is music played for dancing. According to associated content, “It sounds closer to rhythmic patterns of a waltz rather than the modern incarnation of polka”. The polka sounds classical because of the era it was created and in terms of use it was used for formal occasions. The unique patterns within the polka make it a dance number piece. This means that the dance is something that can be played and danced two in a series of steps like many classical European pieces. The Varsouviana polka has a two-step rhythm for simplistic two-step dancing. In //A Streetcar named Desire//, the polka is used as a reminder of the past by one of the characters. It is symbolic in the sense that the polka incorporates into past thoughts, just like how the music is old itself.

“It Don’t Mean a Thing If it Ain’t Got No Swing.” //Associated Content//. Web. Jan 08. 2010.

Tragedy
By: Gregory Christakos & Gavin Cude



Tragedy is a work that involves suffering for the pleasure of an audience. While that is the meaning of tragedy, there are different types based on different eras throughout time. According to our notes of tragedy, “Tragedy originated in ancient Greece, and has taken different forms through the neo-classical and modern day tragedies”. The Ancient Greek form of tragedy involved the rise and fall of a hero due to some uncontrollable force or antagonist. The neo-classical, or Renaissance tragedies, evolved a bit more and involved new themes like uncontrollable circumstances, revenges, and miscalculations. Modern tragedy itself encompasses elements from both prior tragedies while rejecting the idea of high status people being the main focus. All of these tragedies involve the idea of an individual suffering for the pleasure of the audience. The audience can connect to the events of suffering and tend to express deep emotions for the main character being affected.