UP FOR DISCUSSION 1 3 WHAT DO YOU THINK THE TITLE OF THE PLAY MEANS?


WHAT ARE SOME WAYS IN WHICH THE ROSE TATTOO REFLECTS BOTH THE TIME WHEN IT WAS WRITTEN (1951) AND THE TIME IN WHICH IT IS BEING PRODUCED NOW?


CONSIDER The immigrant experience after World War II


The Rose Tattoo first opened on Broadway in 1951, six years after the end of the Second World War. During this period, Americans were preoccupied with returning to “normal life” by promoting a culture of uniformity in the shadow of the war. In response to rising immigration, Congress passed special legislation enabling refugees from Europe and the Soviet Union to enter the US during this time.


The immigrant experience in 2019


Roundabout’s production of The Rose Tattoo is being produced in 2019. At this time, strict policies are being implemented that limit immigration, notably targeting people entering through the US-Mexico border.


2


WHAT EXPERIENCES IS TENNESSEE WILLIAMS EXPLORING THAT DIFFER FROM HIS?


CONSIDER A male playwright writing a female protagonist.


A non-immigrant writing the story of Italian immigrants. Williams writes in broken English and Sicilian throughout the play although he did not speak the language. There are also many slurs used against and by the Italian characters (Wop, Dago, Macaroni). Why does he use this language? How does it sound in our ears today?


FURTHER QUESTIONS


ARE THERE EXAMPLES YOU CAN DRAW FROM TODAY’S CULTURE OF SOMEONE’S NATIVE LANGUAGE BEING USED AGAINST THEM AS A WEAPON?


HOW IS SOCIETY AWARE OF CULTURAL APPROPRIATION AND REPRESENTATION TODAY?


20 ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24