P3+Jacob+C+and+Jake+K

Elysian Fields
By: Jake Korinko The Elysian Fields are the setting for the play A Streetcar Named Desire. In Greek mythology, the Elysian Fields in Elysium were the final resting place of the souls of the heroic and the virtuous. The Fields were thought of as a section of the Underworld. The Elysian Fields were believed to be on the western margin of the earth, where the mortal relatives of the king of gods were transported to enjoy an immortality of bliss (Crystalinks). Hades was the god of the Underworld. He ruled over Elysium and the rest of the sections of the Underworld. There are many different sections, but the main ones are Erebus, Tartarus, and Acheron. The Greek were very devout in their beliefs of the gods and their underworld.

"Elysian Fields." Crystalinks Metaphysical and Science Website. 1995. Web. 07 Jan. 2010.

Tennesse Williams
By: Jake Korinko

Born Thomas Lanier Williams in Columbus, Mississippi in 1914, Williams was the son of a shoe store executive. Williams said his life in Mississippi was a happy one, but it all changed when his family moved into St. Louis. It was there he began to look inward and write. Williams’ early adult years were occupied with attending college at three different universities, a brief stint working at his father’s shoe company. He then moved to New Orleans, the setting for his play //A Streetcar Named Desire//. Williams spent a number of years traveling throughout the country and trying to write. His first big hit was //The Glass Menageri//. The play went on to Broadway and won a Pulitzer Prize, among other awards. His other works included //A Streetcar Named Desire, Camino Real, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,// and //Sweet Bird of Youth.// His works were praised but also denounced for addressing raw subject matter in a straightforward realistic way. Starting in the 1960s, Williams began to depend more and more on alcohol and drugs. In 1969 he was hospitalized by his brother. Williams wrote stories of his addiction to drugs and alcohol, and also turned out to be homosexual. Tennessee Williams died in a New York City hotel filled with half-finished bottles of wine and pills. Williams will always be known for addressing topics that others wouldn't touch, and ultimately being a very courageous writer.

"Tennessee Williams." //PBS//. Web. 10 Jan. 2010.

New Orleans 1940-1950
By: Jake Korinko

The 1940-1950 era was exciting, colorful, and alive for New Orleans. At the time New Orleans was known for its jazz, festivals, activities, and of course, its women. Mardi Gras, which included a variety of parades and festivals, became very popular. Jazz bars, eccentric restaurants, prostitution, and personal freedom made New Orleans an ideal setting for Williams' play //A Streetcar Named Desire//. In the 1940s street cars were one of the most commonly used modes of transportation. Some streetcars still exist in New Orleans today. They will always be a part of New Orleans' history. Jazz was born out of this city, and its residents pride themselves on this fact. New Orleans was seen as a place where one could go and not be judged, a place where black and white didn't matter.

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

Napoleonic Code
By: Jacob Croft

The Napoleonic Code was put in place in areas controlled by France in the 1804 by Napoleon 1. The Napoleonic Code was put in place over all areas that were controlled by France during Napoleon’s reign. According to Law Library,”  The Napoleonic Code served as the prototype for subsequent codes during the nineteenth century in twenty-four countries; the province of Québec and the state of Louisiana have derived a substantial portion of their laws from it”(Napoleonic). The influence that this law had over Louisiana was one that occurred while the state was still controlled by the French. After the United States gained control of Louisiana the state keep its state laws based off of the Napoleonic Code. The Napoleonic Code is seen in the play //A Streetcar Named Desire// because the setting takes place in Louisiana. The Napoleonic Code is still used in Louisiana for the state law and is in amended form in France. The Napoleonic Code is a law type that involves moral for the creation of laws that are off its bases.

"Napoleonic Code." //Law Library - American Law and Legal Information//. Web. 10 Jan. 2010 

**Belle Reve**
By: Jacob Croft The Belle Reve is community home that was created to help people who have AIDS/HIV have a place to live. The Belle Reve offers help to the individuals and families that suffer from AIDS/HIV and provide full support for them. According to the Belle Reve website,”  Since Belle Reve opened its doors in April of 1993, it has provided a home and full support services for low-income adults and families whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS”(Belle). The Belle Reve has helped families and individuals in the New Orleans area. The Belle Reve has severed mainly the poor and homeless population in New Orleans to help them live with the disease. The Belle Reve has helped change the lives of many people who have come into contact with this disease and have help prevent the spread of it. The Belle Reve has received many awards on the service that it has provided to the community and has received support from private investors as a result. The Belle Reve is still open today and provides service for those in need and does not reject people based on their age, gender, sexual orientation, religion or race.

"Belle Reve | About Belle Reve | Belle Reve." //AT&T//. Web. 11 Jan. 2010.

**The Varsouviana Polka**

By: Jacob Croft

The Varsouvian Polka is a specific polka song that is in the play //A Streetcar Named Desire//. The Varsouvian Polka song is one that has a merry-go-round tune and plays an important part in the play. According to Tennessee Williams,” It sets the mood of Blanche being unstable and imagining creepy music that no one else can hear”(Williams). By the music creating a certain mode a reaction is made by the characters. The tune is supposed to be one that creates a constant repeating tune that gets stuck in people’s minds making it hard for a character to realize reality. By creating a haunting tune for the play it gives away that the play is a tragedy. The constant of a haunting tune makes the play seem creepier and creates a haunting sort of mood. The Varsouvian Polka is going to be a key interest in the play. Williams, Tennessee. "A Streetcar Named Desire Symbolism, Imagery & Allegory." //Shmoop: Study Guides, Teacher Resources//. Web. 11 Jan. 2010.

**Tragedy**

By: Jacob Croft

Tragedy is a serious drama that shows conflict. Tragedy has many different types, but most end with a downfall of characters. Tragedy occurs in literature and everyday life and creates a reaction by all audiences. Tragedy in literature was first seen in history in Aristotle’s Poetics in 330 B.C. Tragedies tend to make an impression on people that can affect them for a time span emotionally. Tragedy is an event in reality that makes impressions that disappoint or even affects hundreds and often results in one or some people losing their lives. As time goes on tragedy in reality has different effects on generations who have only read of the situations. Tragedy happens every day to individuals and families and cannot be avoided because it is an act of nature.