The Writer
Tennessee Williams
Born in 1911 in the American South
Grew up in St Louis, Missouri
Moved to New Orleans 1n 1938
Wrote “Streetcar” in 1945 – set in New
Orleans
Died an alcohol related death in 1983.
Streetcar Named Desire
Tennessee Williams
Background to the Play
The play focuses on the transition between
the old traditions of the American South and
the newly industrialised South.
It chronicles the defeat of an aristocratic
southern belle by a new working class society.
Up until the 1940s the American South had an
agricultural driven economy which allowed for a
distinct white upper class.
The1940s saw this society change.
Industrialisation saw a new working class
emerge. A working class from a huge number of
different backgrounds. The American Dream!
Stanley and Blanche
The characterisation of these two characters
represents the two different outlooks:


Blanche – romantic old fashioned, traditionalist and
elitist views
Stanley – new America, American dream, anyone can
succeed if they work hard.
Stella is a hybrid character: one who was of the
old traditions, but has moved with the times as a
result of her marriage to Stanley.
Overview and Background to the Play
Stella and Blanche Dubois are sisters who previously owned
and lived on a plantation: Belle Reve
Stella left Belle Reve around the time of the death of her father,
whilst Blanche stayed and watched it crumble as the relatives
all died.
Blanche clings to the traditional lifestyle, whilst Stella
recognises a need for change.
Stella married Stanley and they live humbly in Elysian Fields –
Blanche is horrified by their living conditions.
When Blanche arrives to stay for a short time, it is clear that the
sisters are very different and slightly estranged.
It quickly becomes evident that Blanche has had some kind of
traumatic experience that has affected her significantly, shown
through her erratic behaviour and actions.
The Classic Southern Woman
“Model of Virtue”
“Guardian of youth”
“a restraint on man’s natural vice and
immorality”
Considered inferior to men
Looks to others for protection
Blanche DuBois is educated but stuck in
the past.
The Napoleonic Code and The
French Quarter
New Orleans owned by the French up until
1803.
French Law continued.
Part of this law meant that a spouse had a
right to own part of a property previously
owned by the other.
The play is set in the French Quarter
At the time a “melting pot” of different
races and classes.
The Characters
Blanche DuBois
Stella Kowalski
Stanley Kowalski
Harold Mitchell (Mitch)
Eunice Hurbel
Steve Hurbel
Pablo Gonzales
Negro Woman
A Strange Man
A Strange Woman
A Young Collector
A Mexican Woman
Title
‘A Streetcar Named Desire’
What is a streetcar and what might this
represent in terms of the play?
Why is desire important in the play – in
what ways has it affected all of the four
central characters?
How does the full title symbolise Blanche’s
life?
The Streetcars
Blanche takes two streetcars before
arriving at Elysian Fields.


Desire and
Cemeteries
Elysian Fields is the name for the land of
the dead in Greek mythology.
In what ways do the names of the two
streetcars and her final destination mirror
the journey of Blanche’s own life?
Key Themes
1.
2.
3.
4.
Think about the themes
below. In groups of four,
number yourselves and think
about the corresponding
numbered theme below.
Create a mind map coming up
with all the different ways that
the dramatist has addressed
these themes. Remember to
consider all of your literary
techniques.
Insanity
Reality versus fantasy
Sex, death and fate
Conflict
Characterisation
Symbolism
Key scenes
Dialogue
Climax
Aspects of
staging




music (important
in this play)
lighting
stage directions
stage set
Streetcar Named Desire
Establishment of conflict between
Blanche and Stanley in the
opening scene…
The Conflict
The play “A Streetcar Named Desire” revolves around
the conflict between the characters Blanche DuBois and
Stanley Kowalski.
It is very much a conflict between two worlds. The
genteel, aristocratic, traditional American South of
Blanche and the working class immigrant world of
Stanley.
Stella is caught in the middle – between these two
worlds.
The Opening Scene!
The conflict between Blanche and Stanley
is set up in the opening scene of the play.
In this scene the differences between
Blanche and Stanley are made clear to the
audience.
Stanley
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Read pages two and three and compare your first
impressions of these different characters: consider
descriptions, objects, and dialogue they use.
What is Stanley carrying when he comes home?
What does he do with it?
How is this package described?
Where is Stanley going next?
How is Blanche dressed?
What colour is she wearing?
What does “incongruous to this setting” mean?
What animal is Blanche compared to?
Stanley - Answers
He comes home with a package of meat
which is described as being “covered in
blood.”
This immediately informs the audience
that Stanley is a primitive, physical
character – He is seen here in the role of
the hunter gatherer.
Stanley Continued…
Stanley also speaks in a very brisk,
monosyllabic way underlining his primitive
image.
He is also about to go bowling and this
activity is very much a part of the new
immigrant culture that is connected to
Stanley and not Blanche.
Blanche - Answers
Blanche is described as being “daintily dressed in a white suit…” Her
appearance does not fit into the tough, working class environment she
finds herself in.
The reference to the moth reminds the actress that Blanche is to
appear fragile, bewildered and shocked by the area where her sister
lives.
By using the words “daintily” and “delicate” in the stage directions we
are immediately aware that she is very different from the confident and
direct manner of Stanley.
Notice the word “white” is also repeated three times, suggesting the
purity and naivety of Blanche in comparison with Stanley who is later
seen wearing a red bowling jacket.
Blanche Pages 5-17
Find quotes to support the following points
about Blanche’s character.
The Character of Blanche
She is fragile and vulnerable
She has a craving for alcohol
We become aware of her class snobbery
She has a constant need for flattering comments
from her sister
She treats Stella as a child and acts the “big
sister”
There is an undercurrent of tension between the
sisters
Quotations
Learning Intentions
1. Identify relevant information.
2. Choose appropriate quotations and frame
them effectively in your writing.
Quotations should be…



Relevant
Short
Part of your sentence
Some Useful Quotations
“Her appearance is incongruous to the
setting.” (Page 7)
“She looks bewildered”
“Why, that you had to live in these
conditions?” (Page 11)
Using Your Quotations!
The conflict between Blanche and Stanley is
set up in the opening scenes. The audience is
immediately aware that Blanche is ill-at-ease in the
shabby surroundings of downtown New Orleans.
When she arrives at her sister’s address, “she looks
bewildered” and her appearance is “incongruous to
the setting.” In addition Blanche is portrayed as a
snob. She asks Stella, “Why, that you had to live in
these conditions?” These factors contradict major
aspects of Stanley’s character and alert the
audience to Blanche’s unease and lack of respect
for her surroundings.
Similarly, the opening depiction of Stanley’s
character alert the audience to impending conflict…
Your Task
Focus on the opening scene of “Streetcar”.
Find three quotations that describe
Stanley and demonstrate how different he
is to Blanche.
Continue the paragraph on the previous
slide using your 3 quotations.
Finally!
Make notes about Blanche and Stella’s
past and what we find out about Belle
Reve.
Pages eleven and twelve
Characterisation
Stanley
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Loyal
Primitive
Aggressive
Sexist
Hospitable
Passionate
Proud
Cruel
Family man
Realist
Stella
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Sensitive
Understanding
Helpful
Selfish
Passionate
Obedient
Submissive
Welcoming
Honest
Independent
Blanche
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Polite
Vulnerable
Sensitive
Vain
Creative
Old-fashioned
Flirtatious
Thoughtless
Dreamer
Insane
Scene 2
1. Stanley is irritated at the beginning of this scene – what is
causing him to feel this way and why do you think he is
particularly sensitive about this?
2. How do Stella’s actions exasperate Stanley’s feelings
further?
3. Blanche emerges from the first of many long baths –
bathing is a motif in this play – why do you think she spends
so long in the bath during the play?
4. What colour of robe is Blanche wearing and what does this
suggest about her past?
5. What causes the first major conflict between Blanche and
Stanley?
6. What does Stanley do to Blanche’s belongings and what
event does this foreshadow?
Scene 3
1. Describe the way that Stanley interacts with his friends
and the position that he holds within the group.
2. Describe the inconsistencies between Blanche’s
behaviour around men and her expectations of how
they should behave.
3. Select a quotation from this scene that highlights
Stanley’s sexist and disrespectful attitude to women.
Analyse and evaluate its effect.
4. A significant symbol in the play is light, but its normal
associations have been reversed. Blanche’s purchases
a paper lantern and whilst asking Mitch to put it up
explains that she “can’t stand a naked light-bulb, any
more I can a rude remark or a vulgar action”. Why do
you think she avoids the light?
Scene 4 – A Turning Point
Summarise the events in this scene
Consider the conversation between Stella and Blanche on page
45 and 46, specifically the references to the streetcar – what
are they really discussing through the disguise of metaphor?
The scene functions as a turning point for the following
reasons:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Stanley overhears Blanche’s condemnation of him therefore sealing her
fate and his decision to ruin her and force her to leave.
Stella chooses Stanley over Blanche, foreshadowing her decision at
the end of the play to commit her sister to a mental institution.
The discussion of the streetcar links with the title and the theme of fate:
Just like a streetcar is fixed to tracks, so Blanche is headed for disaster
in the play with no alternative path.
The idea of desire, is also introduced and is integral to Blanche’s
downfall.
Blanche’s hysteria and actions (attempting to call Shep Huntleigh),
further cast doubt on her sanity.
Scene 5
In scene five, Stanley threatens and intimidates Blanche
with suggestions of knowledge of her past. She becomes
increasingly frightened.
Read the account of her actions she gives to Stella,
p.53. How do these descriptions link with those in her
introduction in scene 1, and what qualities do they reveal
about Blanche’s character?
Stella spills what on Blanche, p.54? Consider the colour
of the skirt, and suggest the various events described
within the play that this could reflect.
Scene 5 – Hinge Question
What happens with the young man selling subscriptions
just prior to Mitch’s arrival at the Kowalski apartment?
Consider the reasons for Blanche’s actions. Is this …
A. an indication of just how moth-like Blanche is, clarifying
that she is incapable of settling with only one man.
B. a example of her urges for self-destruction, and
therefore insanity.
C. a revelation of her hypocritical personality
D. Clarification that after having lost the only man she truly
cared about, and blaming herself for this, she cannot
allow herself the chance of another happy life?
Scene 6
Summarise the key events in this scene.
During Blanche and Mitch’s conversation back at
the apartment, Blanche’s reckless behaviour
surfaces again. Explain the two examples that
occur during their conversation.
Find quotations from this scene that re-enforce
Blanche’s need for illusion and fantasy.
In this scene the audience finally understands
the full meaning of the polka music. What is it
and who is the only character that can hear it?
Scene 2
Summary Scene 8
Blanche’s gloomy birthday party is winding down. Mitch
does not arrive.
Stanley smashes a plate angry at being told he is
“greasy.”
Stanley complains about the heat from Blanche’s steam
bath.
Stanley offers Blanche her birthday present – a one way
ticket back to Laurel on the bus.
Blanche runs to the bathroom making gagging noises –
Stanley’s cruelty has literally taken Blanche’s breath
away.
Stella reproaches Stanley for his cruelty but he explains
how they were perfectly happy until Blanche came along.
At the end of the scene Stella asks to be taken to the
hospital – the baby is on its way.
Analysis of Scene 8
Stanley, Stella and Blanche become increasingly short-tempered.
Stanley shows he has had enough of Blanche and wants her to
leave.
Stella grows assertive for the first time in the play. She demands
that Stanley should not go bowling and demands to know why he is
being so cruel to Blanche.
However, just at the moment Stella begins to think independently of
Stanley, she goes into labour. This reasserts her connection and
reliance to Stanley.
Stanley also reminds Stella that she was once posh and snobbish
like Blanche but he removed those airs and graces. He tells Stella
that before Blanche arrived she was happy to be common.
The suggestion of Stanley’s speech is that he desires to take
ownership of people and things that make him feel inferior.
His actions towards Blanche are so cruel because he
misunderstands how weak Blanche was in the first place.
Summary of Scene 9
Mitch arrives while Blanche is alone in the apartment.
Blanche descends into her own world. Hearing the polka music that was
playing when her husband killed himself. She hears the gunshot in her
mind and is clearly anxious.
Mitch unaware of what Blanche is talking about grows more impatient.
Eventually Mitch explains what is on his mind and says he does not care
about Blanche’s age but is annoyed about the fact that she lied to him all
summer about being morally upright.
Mitch explains that he has heard the stories about her behaviour in Laurel.
Blanche tries to deny the charges but is eventually forced to admit the truth.
She finally breaks down and explains through sobs that after her husband’s
death she panicked and searched for companionship to fill her loneliness.
She explains that Mitch gave her hope but that she was wrong to hope
because her past eventually caught up with her.
Mitch tells Blanche that she is not fit to live in the same house as his mother
and Blanche orders him to leave, collapsing into hysterics.
Analysis of Scene 9
Mitch’s disappointment in the relationship does not stop
him from approaching Blanche sexually.
However, while Mitch accepts the end of their
relationship with resignation, Blanch becomes desperate
and unhinged.
Blanche sees marriage as the only way to escape the
demons of her marriage.
Once Mitch crushes the make believe identity Blanche
has constructed for herself she descends into madness.
Blanche retreats into the make-believe world of her own
mind; unable to face reality.
Analysis Scene 9 Cont…
Scene 9 fails to tell us whether Blanche’s
difficulties are her own responsibility or whether
she is a victim of her own circumstance.
It is true that Blanche’s sexual duplicity and
romantic delusions have been the source of her
fall.
She was born into a society that required the
suppression of desire and where she expected
wealth and social status.
Finally, Blanch is also Stanley’s victim. His
cruelty and disclosure of her past contribute
directly to her fate.
Characterisation
Stanley
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Loyal
Primitive
Aggressive
Sexist
Hospitable
Passionate
Proud
Cruel
Family man
Realist
Stella
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Sensitive
Understanding
Helpful
Selfish
Passionate
Obedient
Submissive
Welcoming
Honest
Independent
Blanche
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Polite
Vulnerable
Sensitive
Vain
Creative
Old-fashioned
Flirtatious
Thoughtless
Dreamer
Insane
Literary Techniques
Characterisation


Blanche
Stella
Stanley
Mitch (minor character)
Setting

Working class, immigrant, new America, small claustrophobic apartment
Symbols/Motifs





Bathing
Meat
Light
Varsouviana Polka
Contrast of Stanley and Blanche (lion vs. moth, light vs. darkness,
realism vs. fantasy, old America vs. New America)
Literary Techniques
Key Scenes


Scene Four Turning Point (Stanley overhearing Blanche’s opinion of him)
Scene Ten: Climax (Stanley’s triumph through the rape of Blanche)
Themes:





Insanity
Fate
Conflict
Desire
Death
The Question!
Choose a play in which an important
character is in conflict with another
character in the play. Describe the conflict
and show why it is important to the
development of the plot.
Introduction
Your introduction is very important and
must refer to the task. You must clearly
show that you understand the question
and respond appropriately.
Include
1. Author and name of text
2. Brief summary of the main themes of the text
3. Reference to the task and explain what your
essay is about.
Exemplar Introduction
“A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
is a powerful and thought-provoking play that was first
performed in 1947. The play investigates a clash
between two characters Blanche DuBois and Stanley
Kowalski who come from very contrasting backgrounds.
Blanche is from the traditional genteel American South,
while Stanley hails from the urban immigrant world of
New Orleans. The clash between these two characters
results in a plethora of dramatic incidents, including a
violent rape. This essay will explore how Tenessee
Williams creates the conflict between these two
characters in a play that’s drama is clearly fuelled by
two strikingly different figures.
Paragraph One
The Setting
Begin
The setting is vitally important in establishing a
sense of conflict between Stanley and Blanche…
Include
Set in downtown New Orleans
Clearly a neighbourhood that is run-down
Refer to Blanche arriving and looking “incongruous.”
The flat – Small, poky with little space. Claustrophobic.
Paragraph Two
Blanche and Stanley’s Very Different Backgrounds.
Begin
It is clear from the beginning of the play that Blanche and Stanley
come from very different social backgrounds. It is this contrast that
creates the conflict between their two characters…
Include
Blanche living in Belle Reve
Her manners and lifestyle
Stanley – Inner city, immigrant area
His manners and lifestyle are very different.
Paragraph Three
Blanche’s Character and Behaviour
This may be potentially two paragraphs!
Begin
Williams’s characterisation of Blanche further enhances
our understanding of the conflict between the main
characters…
Include
Her appearance and behaviour at the beginning of the play.
Her past – Laurel, School, Husband
Her behaviour – Drinking, bathing
Her behaviour – Looks down on Stanley and his type
Paragraph Four
The Character of Stanley
Begin
Stanley is portrayed very differently and this further
amplifies the conflict between the two characters.
Include
Ungrammatical speech
Contempt for woman
“Animal Machismo”
Napoleonic Code
Paragraph Five
Key Scenes
Begin
Williams has chosen several key scenes to increase
the dramatic opposition of Blanche and Stanley.
Include
Act 1, Scene 3 – The first poker night
Act 1, Scene 4 – Stanley overhears Blanche
Climax of the rape scene and Stanley’s final victory.
Paragraph Six
Dramatic Effects
Begin
In order to heighten the sense of conflict between
the two protagonists Williams has used a variety of
dramatic techniques….
Include
Light/Lighting
Sound Effects
Music
Symbols