The United States in 1947, when the play was written and set in, was run by President Harry Truman, post-World War II. Economically the country suffered a financial setback after the war but Americans were optimistic and happy the war was over. President Truman ended segregation in the military. Optimism grew strong so long as there was work and money to bring home.One of the main characters in the play, Polish-American brute Stanley Kowalski is optimistic, about to have a child with his wife and is not rich, but both he and his wife, Stella, are happy with what they have. Their two-room apartment flat shows their financial status.

Political conditions surrounding the play set readers or viewers up for an exciting clash of culture. After the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803, French culture still remained in the south where Napoleon?s colonies had to adjust to American culture. The south was Democratic and segregated. Stanley Kowalski mentions the Napoleonic Code of Law in

Important facts in the play include details of Blanche?s past, which help readers/viewers to better understand her present state. The fact that her husband, Allan, killed himself gives good reason behind Blanche?s depression and promiscuity. Blanche stayed at a hotel in Laurel after losing Belle Reve, called ?The Flamingo?, where she is well known. After losing her job from her intimate relation with the seventeen year-old student, Blanche?s psychological state is obviously unstable and close to destruction. Blanche feels hardships were Stella?s fault since she left Belle Reve and abandoned her the summer their father died. Now married and pregnant, Blanche?s ?baby? sister is left to take care of her. Blanche?s action in the majority of the play consists of her bathing, singing, changing clothes, deciding on clothes and drinking. She also goes to extremes to stay in dim light afraid her face will give away her age and maybe some of her past. She even covers up the light with a paper lantern and would only see Mitch after six in the evening in dim light. Blanche clings to items of luxury, hiding behind them. Her clothes, fancy dresses, perfume, jewelry and even a rhinestone tiara. In the end, it is best decided between the characters in the play to send Blanche to a hospital where they can help her. Blanche believes she is waiting for Shep Huntleigh but is shocked and frightened to see a strange doctor and matron. The ?Varsouviana? is playing in the background but becomes distorted as they take Blanche out of the Kowalski apartment.

Predominantly French in the south, especially New Orleans, described as a ?cosmopolitan city?. More Europeans tended to accept black people and the ?intermingling? of races. This is seen immediately in the play as neighbor, Eunice, is standing with a colored woman. The south still carried racial discrimination amongst other social issues. The Taft-Hartley labor law was passed, labor was unrest, segregation and the KKK was alive and well. Women were out of work after the war and returned to traditional roles. Stella Kowalski plays the traditional role of a wife of the late 1940s. She is carrying his child, waits on him hand and foot and is sometimes physically abused by her husband..

Before the action of the play, Stella Kowalski moved out of her family estate, Belle Reve, in Mississippi when her father died. She left her sister

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