Sanity & Madness in A Streetcar Named Desire & Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Lesson 18
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ELA

Unit 10

10th Grade

Lesson 18 of 23

Objective


Analyze how Elia Kazan’s cinematic and directorial choices in the 1951 film version of A Streetcar Named Desire contribute to meaning. 

Evaluate how Elia Kazan interprets Teneesee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire in his 1951 film of the same title. 

Readings and Materials


  • Play: A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams 

  • Movie: A Streetcar Named Desire (Directed by Elia Kazan) 

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Choose a particular scene from the novel and respond to the following question: How is Stanley and Stella’s interaction from Scene 10 portrayed in this scene? How did you imagine it was supposed to be portrayed? Does it match up to your interpretation?

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Annotation Focus

Scaffolding Questions

How does actress Leigh portray Blanche?

How does actor Brando portray Stanley?

How does each actor’s portrayal compare to your reading and interpretation of the scenes of William’s play?

Discourse Questions

In what ways does Kazan stay true to William’s portrayal of Blanche, Stanley, and Stella? In what ways does Kazan deviate from William’s portrayal of Blanche, Stanley, and Stella?

Homework


Read and annotate Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom through the following annotation focus by Lesson 19:

  • Annotation focus: 
    • Scene 1: How does Wilson create tension in Act 1 of the play? In other words, in what lines, words, and phrases does William use conflict to propel action? 
    • Scene 2: What does Ma desire? What does Levee desire?

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Standards


  • LO 1.3B — Analyze how the writer's use of stylistic elements contributes to a work of literature's effects and meaning.
  • RL.9-10.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

Supporting Standards

LO 2.3A
LO 2.3B
LO 2.3C
LO 5.1A
LO 5.1B
RL.9-10.1
RL.9-10.2
SL.9-10.1
W.9-10.2

Next

Analyze how Wilson establishes characterization and conflict in the opening of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

Lesson 19
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Lesson Map

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