Analyze and compare the character traits and motivations of Chance Wayne in Sweet Bird of Youth with Val Xavier in Orpheus Descending (1956). What types of pressures do these young men face, and how do they respond to these challenges?

Investigate the racial politics in the Southern United States during this era. Was the depiction of an innocent African American's castration in the play plausible? Would such a crime have been subject to legal prosecution at that time? How has the political landscape in the South evolved since then?

Compare and contrast the play Sweet Bird of Youth with the film Sunset Boulevard (1950). Examine how both works address the struggles of aging movie starlets. How do the different mediums—stage play versus film—affect the portrayal and content of these issues?

Examine the psychology behind why individuals heckle politicians, entertainers, and other public figures. What motivates them to heckle? Is heckling an effective strategy for communicating a message?