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A Streetcar Named Desire. Notes on Streetcar. A play first staged in 1947 Considered very controversial for it’s focus on sexual themes – expressions of sexuality & the inclusion of a minor character who is homosexual Characters are representations of some aspects of Freudian Psychology .
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Notes on Streetcar • A play first staged in 1947 • Considered very controversial for it’s focus on sexual themes – expressions of sexuality & the inclusion of a minor character who is homosexual • Characters are representations of some aspects of Freudian Psychology
Notes on Streetcar • Psychology – study of human behavior • Sigmund Freud – Late 19th century – early 20th century Psychiatrist • Freud popularized the concept of Psychoanalysis • Psychoanalysis – analyzing a person’s behavior after long sessions of “talk” therapy • The therapist attempts to uncover patterns of behaviors and tendencies based upon what a person shares during the talk therapy sessions
Notes on Streetcar • Freud theorized that human behavior is based on both conscious and subconscious thinking • The Subconscious is the part of the mind that works without our awareness • Freud believed that the human mind had 3 distinct parts that he called the psyche
Notes on Streetcar • The Parts of the Psyche • Id • Ego • Super Ego
Notes on Streetcar • The Parts of the Psyche • Id • completely internal • This part of the mind controls survival instincts • The is the part of the mind that seeks instant gratification Example: If a person is hungry, their Id wants them to eat immediately, even if they have to steal food from others
Notes on Streetcar • The Parts of the Psyche • Ego • Acknowledges the existence of others • This part of the mind allows people to live in communities. • Will delay gratification based upon social customs • Responds to reward and punishment training Example: If a person is hungry, they will wait until their lunch break because that is what other people do and because they will be punished for eating at a different time.
Notes on Streetcar • The Parts of the Psyche • Super Ego • The most complex component of the human mind • Recognizes concepts of morality & ethics (understanding what is morally right and wrong) • Will delay gratification based moral reasoning • Develops & becomes more complex through life experiences Example: If a person is hungry, they may choose to fast for religious or ethical reasons. They may also choose to be a vegetarian because they don’t want to kill other animals.
Notes on Streetcar • Characters in this play were intended to be extreme examples of these parts of the mind • Stanley – The Id • Stella – The Ego • Mitch – The Super Ego