Research paintings that are "street scenes," perhaps landscapes of Claude Lorrain, a French artist who influenced Rice when he wrote Street Scene. Pick one and compare it to the play.

Discuss Street Scene in terms of "realism," the artistic and literary movement of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

In what ways could the Maurrants avoid their sad situation by the end of the play? Would better communication have prevented the murder?

Research trends in urbanization and suburbanization in this time period. Why does Rose believe that she and her family would have a better life outside of the city? Would their lives really be better in the suburbs?