A
Streetcar Named Desire
By Tennessee
Williams
Directed by Fred Pezzimenti
Performed
March 2010
Welcome to the education page for our production of A Streetcar Named Desire. It has previously been covered in the VCE English Units 3 & 4 - “Whose
Reality?” However, there are possibly other VCE subjects in which “Steetcar” can be covered
(Drama, Literature and Theatre Studies).
We have provided a number of links to material that may be of use to VCE
students and/or teachers to assist with a further understanding of this classic
play (predominantly aimed at English and Literature units).
A Streetcar Named
Desire has been described as a “psychological drama portraying neurotic
people who are the victims of their own passions, frustrations and loneliness.
Tennessee Williams develops strong and interesting characters and uses symbols
which strengthen their features.”
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Who needs
men?! BLANCHE DOES! |
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“Streetcar” critiques how post-war America places restrictions on
women. Blanche (and Stella) sees male companionship as the only means to
achieve happiness. They depend on men for their existence and self image. By relying on men Blanche puts her fate in the hands of others! Ultimately it is a man who takes her away to the psychiatric hospital. Blanche is a tragic victim of “Loneliness”. Her need to be special and
loved originates from her failure with relationships. Tennessee Williams, in all his plays, creates characters that come
from broken families and cannot find their place in society. They tend to be afraid
of much that surrounds them. For play references to loneliness, check out this website: http://www.bookrags.com/notes/snd/TOP2.htm |
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Old School vs
New School |
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This is contrasted between Blanche and Stanley who represent different
aspects and ideology of American society. Blanche (Old School) – based in past belief where class and race are important.
“The South” is about the elite living
in elegant houses. She speaks sentimentally and poetically; But lives in a fantasy world. Stanley (New School) – firmly based in the present, believing in the
“American dream” where all men are created equal. Post WW2 brings an economic boom and increased immigration
in New Orleans. Stanley abruptly strips away Blanche’s illusions. Tennessee Williams
presents the South and the family home “Belle Reve”
as standing for strong values - Blanche sees it as a beautiful dream. However,
in reality it is a hypocritical dream as it was based on slavery and
oppression. Whereas present day New Orleans (albeit 1940’s) is modern,
inter-racial, frank, vulgar and sexually aggressive. For references within the
play regarding this theme, check out this link: |
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Sex &
Death |
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Sex and death are intertwined throughout the play and Blanche’s life. Post war America began a level of sexual liberation (the baby boom). New Orleans is presented as vibrant, full of
sexuality. Stanley and Stella’s relationship at times is displayed as primitive. Whereas Blanche is from a
repressed society. Her sexuality tends to bring pain and misfortune. After
selling Belle Reve (the only place where she was
happy), Blanche lives in a second-rate hotel where she has meaningless relationships
with strangers. She is dismissed from her teaching position because of an
incident with a seventeen year old student who reminded her of her late
husband. Ultimately her sexuality leads to the death
of her husband, who suicides as a result of her disapproval of his
homosexuality. The death of her parents and the family home also prevail. Her fear of death is manifested in her fear of aging (and lost
beauty). She counteracts death by asserting her sexuality and capturing her
youth. To Blanche, the opposite of death is desire. For evidence of this check out the following link: |
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Mental
Illness |
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Blanche’s sexual history is a cause for her downfall. Her lifelong pursuit of her sexual desires has led to her eviction
from Belle Reve; her ostracism from Laurel; and
finally her expulsion from society. Her longing for the past forces her to create a fantasy world which
encroaches more and more on her reality. Her tragedy is that she is
caught between two worlds. Unwilling to forget the past. Unable to come to
terms with the present. The death of her husband haunts her so she
seeks substitute men (younger the better). She thinks she is still
young and attractive, although she hates bright light because it would
reveal the truth. Blanche’s fall into madness is the ending brought about by her duel
flaws – her inability to act appropriately on her desire and her desperate
fear of human mortality. For a great short essay
which sheds more light on Blanche’s madness: Last Stop:
Blanche's Breakdown – a short essay by Shirley Galloway |
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Truth &
Lies |
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The trigger of Stanley’s violent
aggression towards Blanche mainly comes down to his high value for honesty. Blanche’s family are dead,
Belle Reve gone, she is unemployed, prostituted
herself, branded a paedophile, homeless and bankrupt. She has now turned to alcohol
and her mental stability is low. However, when she arrives
at New Orleans, she continues the pretence that all is well. She appears to
be well-mannered, educated, and attractive. A sensitive woman who values
literature and imagination. Blanche begins a
relationship with Stanley's colleague, Mitch. She plays her role perfectly
and Mitch believes her to be pure and innocent. But Blanche does becomes dependent on him and sees marriage as a way out. However, Stanley tolerates
nothing but the truth. He is the opposing force to Blanche's struggle with
the world of illusions. He is forceful (and violent) in his ability to
impose his will. For further evidence
follow this link: |
For further assistance check out the following links:
Great discussion questions at - http://www.eng.fju.edu.tw/English_Literature/williams/Streetcar.html#questions
Further thematic discussion
at - http://essayinfo.com/sample/essay/37/
thematic discussion
This site covers some of the cultural and geographical setting of the play - www.turgingsomedrama.com/streetcar/streetcarbackground.htm.
Good group of essay questions - http://www.gradesaver.com/a-streetcar-named-desire/study-guide/essay-questions/
Sparknotes.com has a great quiz to test your knowledge of Streetcar - http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/streetcar/quiz.html