107 A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Questions, Topics, & Examples

Welcome to our list of best A Streetcar Named Desire essay topics! Here, you will find interesting ideas for discussions, essay questions, Streetcar Named Desire research titles, and more. In addition, if you click on the links, you can read excellent A Streetcar Named Desire essay examples!

🔝 Top 10 A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Topics

🏆 best a streetcar named desire topic ideas & essay examples, 🔎 good research topics about a streetcar named desire, 🖊️ interesting a streetcar named desire essay topics.

  • ❓ A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Questionse

✍️ A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Prompts

  • Blanche’s Descent into Madness
  • Blanche DuBois as a Tragic Heroine
  • The New vs. the Old South in the Play
  • Reality vs. Illusion in Williams’ Play
  • The Tragic Downfall of Blanche DuBois
  • Light vs. Darkness in A Streetcar Named Desire
  • Stella and Blanche’s Struggle for Autonomy
  • Stanley Kowalski as a Symbol of Masculinity
  • Music and Sound in A Streetcar Named Desire
  • How Social Status Shaped the Characters’ Lives in the Play
  • Stanley and Blanche Relationship in A Streetcar Named Desire The “impurity” of Blanche’s past suggests the final of the play and it is a quite logical completion of the story.
  • Blanche’s Lies in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams Laurel is the hometown of Blanche DuBois. The lies of Blanche DuBois were concocted to win male suitors.
  • Tennessee Williams’ Play “A Streetcar Named Desire” Williams’ view towards the ideas of illusion and reality works to highlight the fact that reality will always overcome fantasy and the two cannot coexist peacefully, and while we cannot completely admire Stanley in his […]
  • Vulnerability in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams The author manages to demonstrate the power of vulnerability and raw emotions through the play’s characters, which keeps the story full of tension and interesting dynamics.
  • A Streetcar Named Desire A mentally stronger person, Stella is capable of surviving in the world that she and her husband live in and, more to the point, sacrificing the truth to preserve that world, even at the cost […]
  • Female Characters in A Streetcar Named Desire & The Great Gatsby: Comparative It can be seen in the case of Stella and Daisy wherein in their pursuit of what they think is their “ideal” love, they are, in fact, pursuing nothing more than a false ideal that […]
  • Costumes in “A Streetcar Named Desire” (1951) Film Although Blanche’s and Stanley’s clothes belong to the same time period and, therefore, allow the characters to coexist within the same reality and interact naturally, the differences in the details and the style serve more […]
  • Blanche DuBois in Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire” As DuBois is a female character, her tragedy is also to be seen as a result of her helplessness to transform her desires in a male-dominated world.
  • “A Streetcar Named Desire” and Other Hollywood Films: The Effect of Negative Sexual Acts and Values on Society The two entities feed off each other in a dependent state of co-existence, in that, the occurrences in society form the basis of the plots and ideas of various films, while films offer entertainment, inspiration, […]
  • A Streetcar Named Desire: The Passion of Blanche The very movement brings back the fleur of the England of the XVIII century, to “Southern-Gothic imp of Poe-etic perverse” with all its ideas of Gothic culture and the features that are due only to […]
  • Social Norms in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams In Blanche’s opinion, beauty is the true value of a woman since it enables her to win recognition of men. The main tragedy of Blanche DuBois is that she was conditioned to act and behave […]
  • Williams Tennessee’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” The fact that something wrong and evil will form part of Blanche’s life is depicted in the beginning of the work by the mysterious expressions that compound the descriptions of Elysian Fields.
  • Mann’s “Death in Venice” and Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire” Altogether Mann succeeds to convey his messages through the character of the boy, the artist, and the other objects in the story.
  • Blanche in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Williams It is a perfect presentation of the two major characters Blanche DuBois whose pretensions to virtue and culture only thinly cover her alcoholism and illusions of greatness, and Stanley Kowalski, who is primitive, rough, and […]
  • The Movies “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Cyrano de Bergerac” The movie is as tensed as the play. The sound is also very good as the music creates the necessary atmosphere.
  • Blanche Dubois’ Costume in “A Streetcar Named Desire” This is the shape of dress: a sleeveless sweetheart neckline, ruched bodice, with dropped basque waist and long multi-gored, multi-layered skirt falling from the hips, with translucent overlay. The color is a girlish pink, the […]
  • Comparison: Death of a Salesman and A Streetcar Named Desire In the Death of a Salesman, Willy, the protagonist, is lost in the illusion that the American dream is only achievable via superficial qualities of likeability and attractiveness.
  • ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ Literature Comparison Stella is a devoted wife struggling to make her marriage work, even though her husband Stanley, subjects her to a lot of pain and suffering.
  • A Streetcar Named Desire She is highly critical and snobbish when she regards the cramped up apartment that her sister and her husband lives in.
  • Gender Struggle in Tennessee Williams “A Streetcar Named Desire” This observation is not merely the central idea of the play, but is an enhancement to the basic personality trait that goes along with the horrifying aftermath of the warfare, conducted in the name of […]
  • The Conflict Between Stanley and Blanche in “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • Alcoholism, Violence, Sexuality, and Happiness in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • The Two Different Worlds of Stella in “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • The Link Between Desire and Death in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • Theatrical Set Design of “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • Loneliness, Female vs. Male Thoughts and Ways in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • The Presentation of Masculinity and Femininity in “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Ariel”
  • Romantic Love as the Center of Conflict in “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • The Realistic Fantasy of “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • The Interrelationship of Characters and Themes in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • The Themes of Illusion and Fantasy in “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • Historical, Social, and Cultural Context of Tennessee Williams on “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • The Use of the Grotesque in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • The Blending of Tragic and Comic Elements in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • The Fusion of Eros and Thanatos in “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • The Similarities and Differences in the Presentation of Female Characters in “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • The Decline of the American Dream in “Great Gatsby” and “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • The Symbolic Interactions of the Characters in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • The Role of Family in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • The Importance and Danger of Illusions in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • The Uses of Colors an Lighting in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • The Dual Conflicts Between Civilization and Savagery, Old and New, Appearance and Reality in “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • The Tragic Heroine Blanche in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • Tragic Comedy of Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • Self Deception and Silence in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • Complexity of the Main Characters in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • The Use of Illusions as a Defense Mechanism Against the Real World and Inner Demons in “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • Williams’ Use of Imagery and Symbolism in “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • Deluded Fantasies About Love and Aspiration for Life in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • Theme of Domestic Violence in “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • The Relationship of Blanche and Stella to the Dramatic Effect of “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • The Picture of a Southern Belle in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • Gender Stereotypes in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • The Theme of Past and Present in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • The Themes of Death and Desire in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • The Music’s Role in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • Facing Reality Without Depending on Members of the Opposite Sex in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • The Skillful Use of Poetic Dialogue in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • Prey and Predator in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams
  • Powerless Women: A Comparison of “The Duchess of Malfi” and “A Streetcar Named Desire”

❓ A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Questions

  • How Are the Themes of Reality and Illusion Presented in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • Should Stella Leave Stanley in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams?
  • How Does Williams Present Conflict Between Old and New in Scene Two of “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • Do Women Seek Independence and Individualism in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • What Does Wolfing Mean in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • What Were Common Societal Expectations of Women in the Time When the Play “A Streetcar Named Desire” Was Written?
  • Why Are Women Dependent on Men in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • Can Stanley Be Named as the Ideal of American Masculinity in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • Why Has an Abused Woman Stayed With Her Abuser in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • What Changes Were Made to the Play’s Plot for the Screen Adaptation of “A Streetcar Named Desire” in 1951?
  • How Does Blanche Die in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • How Is the Theme of Class Difference Portrayed in the Play “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • How Is the Idea of Naturalism Presented in the Play “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • What Message Does the Writer Try to Convey in the Play “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • How Does the Past Influence the Present in the Novel “The Reader” and the Play “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • How Is Marriage Represented in the Play “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • What Elements of Southern Fiction Are Presented in the Play “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • What Is the Overall Concept of “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • What Role Does Sexuality Play in the Play “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • Why Are Blanche and Stella Attracted to Each Other Despite Their Conflicts in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • What Secrets From the Past Does Blanche Hide in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • What Literary Techniques Does Tennessee Williams Use to Enhance Themes in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • Why Has Blanche Dubois Failed at the End of “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • What Is Unique About Tennessee Williams’ Word Choice in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • How Does Mitch’s Image Change in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by the End of the Play?
  • What Is the Symbolic Meaning of the Shattered Mirror in the Play “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • Why Does Blanche Try to Escape the Reality in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • What Ideas of Gender Issues Does Tennessee Williams Try to Convey to the Reader in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • What Role Does Fantasy Play in Blanche’s Life in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • How Do Alcohol and Drugs Influence the Main Characters in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • Blanche DuBois’ Fatal Flaws and Downfall In this essay, you can delve into Blanche’s character arc. Explore her vulnerabilities, delusions, and how her past experiences contribute to her tragic end.
  • The Southern Belle Archetype in A Streetcar Named Desire Here, you can explore the Myth of Southern charm and fragility known as “Southern belle.” Examine Blanche’s portrayal as a Southern belle and how it reflects societal expectations regarding women during that time.
  • Symbols of Truth and Deception in A Streetcar Named Desire In this essay, you can analyze the play’s recurring motif of light and darkness. How does it enhance the themes of illusion versus reality?
  • A Streetcar Named Desire as a Critique of Masculinity and Patriarchy This literary analysis can explore how the character of Stanley Kowalski. Show how it embodies traditional masculinity. What are the implications of his dominance over the women characters?
  • Blanche DuBois as a Femme Fatale This essay can discuss Blanche’s seductive power and the consequences of her manipulative behavior on the people around her. Prove your point with quotes from the play.
  • The Southern Gothic Elements in A Streetcar Named Desire This interesting topic focuses on the Dark and Macabre Aspects of the play. Analyze the incorporation of Southern Gothic elements, such as decay, madness, and secrets.
  • The Theme of Desire and Its Manifestation in the Play Here, you can compare and contrast the characters’ desires. For example, focus on Blanche’s desire for security and love, Stanley’s desire for control, and Stella’s desire for stability.
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 22). 107 A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Questions, Topics, & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/a-streetcar-named-desire-essay-examples/

"107 A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Questions, Topics, & Examples." IvyPanda , 22 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/a-streetcar-named-desire-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2024) '107 A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Questions, Topics, & Examples'. 22 February.

IvyPanda . 2024. "107 A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Questions, Topics, & Examples." February 22, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/a-streetcar-named-desire-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "107 A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Questions, Topics, & Examples." February 22, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/a-streetcar-named-desire-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "107 A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Questions, Topics, & Examples." February 22, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/a-streetcar-named-desire-essay-examples/.

  • The Glass Menagerie Paper Topics
  • Death of a Salesman Ideas
  • A Doll’s House Ideas
  • The Crucible Research Topics
  • Tuesdays With Morrie Questions
  • Othello Titles
  • Their Eyes Were Watching God Ideas
  • The Yellow Wallpaper Ideas
  • Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Research Topics
  • The Things They Carried Questions
  • Macbeth Ideas
  • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Research Topics
  • Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Research Topics
  • A Raisin in the Sun Essay Titles
  • Hamlet Essay Ideas

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Plays — A Streetcar Named Desire

one px

Essays on A Streetcar Named Desire

Choosing the right essay topic is crucial for your success in college. Your creativity and personal interests play a significant role in the selection process. This webpage aims to provide you with a variety of A Streetcar Named Desire essay topics to inspire your writing and help you excel in your academic pursuits.

Essay Types and Topics

Argumentative.

  • The role of gender in A Streetcar Named Desire
  • The impact of societal norms on the characters' behaviors

Paragraph Example:

In Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, the portrayal of gender dynamics is a central theme that sheds light on the power struggles and societal expectations faced by the characters. This essay aims to explore the significance of gender in the play and its influence on the characters' decisions and relationships.

Through a close examination of the gender dynamics in A Streetcar Named Desire, this essay has highlighted the complexities of societal norms and their impact on individual lives. The characters' struggles serve as a reflection of the broader societal challenges, prompting us to reconsider our perceptions of gender roles and expectations.

Compare and Contrast

  • The parallels between Blanche DuBois and Stanley Kowalski
  • The contrasting symbols of light and darkness in the play

Descriptive

  • The vivid imagery of New Orleans in the play
  • The sensory experiences portrayed in A Streetcar Named Desire
  • An argument for Blanche's mental state and its impact on her actions
  • The case for the significance of the play's setting in shaping the characters
  • Reimagining a key scene from a different character's perspective
  • A personal reflection on the themes of illusion and reality in the play

Engagement and Creativity

As you explore these essay topics, remember to engage your critical thinking skills and bring your unique perspective to your writing. A Streetcar Named Desire offers a rich tapestry of themes and characters, providing ample opportunities for creative exploration in your essays.

Educational Value

Each essay type presents a valuable opportunity for you to develop different skills. Argumentative essays can refine your analytical thinking, while descriptive essays can enhance your ability to paint vivid pictures with words. Persuasive essays help you hone your persuasive writing skills, and narrative essays allow you to practice storytelling and narrative techniques.

Reality Versus Illusion in The Streetcar Named Desire

The theme of abandonment and brutality in a streetcar named desire, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

How Blanche and Stella Rely on Self-delusion in a Streetcar Named Desire

The character of blanche in the play a streetcar named desire, the truth of blanche in a streetcar named desire, a marxist criticism of a streetcar named desire, let us write you an essay from scratch.

  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

An Examination of The Character of Blanche in a Streetcar Named Desire

The flaws of blanche and why she ultimately failed, analysis of stanley kowalski’s role in tennessee williams’ book, a streetcar named desire, analysis of blanche and stella relationship in a streetcar named desire, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

The Concealed Homosexuality in a Streetcar Named Desire

Oppression, its brutality and its inescapability, is a dominant theme in literature, similar themes in a streetcar named desire by tennessee williams and water by robery lowell, first impression lies: the power and masculinity exuded by stanley kolawski, determining the tragedy potential in a streetcar named desire, how tennessee williams is influenced by the work of chekhov, the use of suspense in a streetcar named desire, a streetcar named desire by tennessee williams: personal identity of blanche, the portrayals of sexuality in cat on a hot tin roof and a streetcar named desire, evaluation of the social class ranking as illustrated in the book, a streetcar named desire, blanche and mitch relationship in a streetcar named desire, female powerlessness in the duchess of malfi and a streetcar named desire, a comparison between the plastic theatre and expressionism in a streetcar named desire, morality and immorality in a streetcar named desire and the picture of dorian gray, oppositions and their purpose in "a streetcar named desire" and "the birthday party", how femininity and masculinity are presented in ariel and a streetcar named desire, tennessee williams’ depiction of blanche as a casualty as illustrated in his play, a streetcar named desire, history defined the themes of a streetcar named desire, comparing social and ethnic tensions in a streetcar named desire and blues for mister charlie, the use of contrast as a literary device at the beginning of a streetcar named desire.

December 3, 1947, Tennessee Williams

Play; Southern Gothic

The French Quarter and Downtown New Orleans

Blanche DuBois, Stella Kowalski, Stanley Kowalski, Harold "Mitch" Mitchell

1. Vlasopolos, A. (1986). Authorizing History: Victimization in" A Streetcar Named Desire". Theatre Journal, 38(3), 322-338. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/3208047) 2. Corrigan, M. A. (1976). Realism and Theatricalism in A Streetcar Named Desire. Modern Drama, 19(4), 385-396. (https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/50/article/497088/summary) 3. Quirino, L. (1983). The Cards Indicate a Voyage on'A Streetcar Named Desire'. Contemporary Literary Criticism, 30. (https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CH1100001571&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=00913421&p=LitRC&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7E8abc495e) 4. Corrigan, M. A. (2019). Realism and Theatricalism in A Streetcar Named Desire. In Essays on Modern American Drama (pp. 27-38). University of Toronto Press. (https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.3138/9781487577803-004/html?lang=de) 5. Van Duyvenbode, R. (2001). Darkness Made Visible: Miscegenation, Masquerade and the Signified Racial Other in Tennessee Williams' Baby Doll and A Streetcar Named Desire. Journal of American Studies, 35(2), 203-215. (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-american-studies/article/abs/darkness-made-visible-miscegenation-masquerade-and-the-signified-racial-other-in-tennessee-williams-baby-doll-and-a-streetcar-named-desire/B73C386D2422793FB8DC00E0B79B7331) 6. Cahir, L. C. (1994). The Artful Rerouting of A Streetcar Named Desire. Literature/Film Quarterly, 22(2), 72. (https://www.proquest.com/openview/7040761d75f7fd8f9bf37a2f719a28a4/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=5938) 7. Silvio, J. R. (2002). A Streetcar Named Desire—Psychoanalytic Perspectives. Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry, 30(1), 135-144. (https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/jaap.30.1.135.21985) 8. Griffies, W. S. (2007). A streetcar named desire and tennessee Williams' object‐relational conflicts. International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies, 4(2), 110-127. (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aps.127) 9. Shackelford, D. (2000). Is There a Gay Man in This Text?: Subverting the Closet in A Streetcar Named Desire. In Literature and Homosexuality (pp. 135-159). Brill. (https://brill.com/display/book/9789004483460/B9789004483460_s010.xml)

Relevant topics

  • Macbeth Ambition
  • Romeo and Juliet
  • Antigone Tragic Hero
  • Death of a Salesman
  • The Importance of Being Earnest
  • Merchant of Venice
  • Hamlet Theme

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Bibliography

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

  • Instructions Followed To The Letter
  • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
  • Unique And Plagiarism Free

essay topics for streetcar named desire

A Streetcar Named Desire

Guide cover image

70 pages • 2 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Scene Summaries & Analyses

Scenes 10-11

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Sounds and actions on the street constantly interrupt or backdrop the dialogue taking place within the Kowalski flat. What are the purposes of these various interruptions? How might reading them on the page differ from seeing them enacted on stage?

Mitch and Stella confront life-changing questions in the face of information given to them by Stanley. How much does he influence their decisions to sever ties with Blanche? Do you think any measure taken by Blanche could have countered the breadth and scope of his domination over those around him?

Whenever Blanche talks about Belle Reve, her language becomes dreamlike—loose and associative. What can you piece together about her experience there given the visceral details she provides? How do this trauma and the past traumas of her life influence her manner of moving about the world?

blurred text

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now

Related Titles

By Tennessee Williams

Guide cover image

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Tennessee Williams

Guide cover placeholder

Orpheus Descending

Guide cover image

Suddenly, Last Summer

Guide cover placeholder

Sweet Bird of Youth

Guide cover image

The Glass Menagerie

Guide cover placeholder

The Night of the Iguana

The Rose Tattoo

Featured Collections

American Literature

View Collection

Southern Gothic

essay topics for streetcar named desire

A Streetcar Named Desire

Tennessee williams, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

A Streetcar Named Desire: Introduction

A streetcar named desire: plot summary, a streetcar named desire: detailed summary & analysis, a streetcar named desire: themes, a streetcar named desire: quotes, a streetcar named desire: characters, a streetcar named desire: symbols, a streetcar named desire: theme wheel, brief biography of tennessee williams.

A Streetcar Named Desire PDF

Historical Context of A Streetcar Named Desire

Other books related to a streetcar named desire.

  • Full Title: A Streetcar Named Desire
  • When Written: 1946-7
  • Where Written: New York, Los Angeles, and New Orleans
  • When Published: Broadway premiere December 3, 1947
  • Literary Period: Dramatic naturalism
  • Genre: Psychological drama
  • Setting: New Orleans, LA
  • Climax: Stanley’s rape of Blanche at the end of Scene Ten
  • Antagonist: Stanley Kowalski

Extra Credit for A Streetcar Named Desire

That Rattle-trap Streetcar Named Desire. The Desire streetcar line operated in New Orleans from 1920 to 1948, going through the French Quarter to its final stop on Desire Street.

Streetcar on the silver screen. The original 1947 Broadway production of Streetcar shot Marlon Brando, who played Stanley Kowalski, to stardom. Brando’s legendary performance cemented the actor’s status as a sex symbol of the stage and screen. Elia Kazan, who directed both the original Broadway production and the 1951 film adaptation, used the Stanislavski method-acting system, which focuses on realism and natural characters instead of melodrama. The Stanislavski system asks actors to use their memories to help give the characters real emotions. Brando based his depiction of Stanley on the boxer Rocky Graziano, going to his gym to study his movements and mannerisms. Largely due to Brando’s Stanley and Vivian Leigh’s iconic Blanche, Kazan’s film has become a cultural touchstone, particularly Brando’s famous bellowing of “STELL-LAHHHHH!”

Oh, Streetcar! In an episode of The Simpsons , the characters stage a musical version of A Streetcar Named Desire called Oh, Streetcar! Mild-mannered Ned Flanders as Stanley gives the famous “STELLA” yell, singing, “Can’t you hear me yell-a? You’re putting me through hell-a!”

The LitCharts.com logo.

A Streetcar Named Desire

By tennessee williams, a streetcar named desire essay questions.

A Streetcar Named Desire is laden with symbolism and metaphor. Pick one of the many recurring symbols – light, flowers, fire, bathing, meat – and trace its occurrence through the play. What does this motif add to the story and characterizations?

Bathing - Blanche is constantly taking baths in the play, subconsciously trying to cleanse herself of the sins of her past. She never succeeds, however, and must return to the bath again and again. Similarly, Stanley showers after he beats his wife, and unlike Blanche he is able to come out cleansed and remorseful.

Elia Kazan's 1951 film adaptation of Streetcar is much lauded, but due to the Hayes Code in effect at the time a film faced much stricter censorship than a stage play. Compare the depiction of Blanche's memory of her husband in the play and in the film adaptation – how does Kazan imply Allan's homosexuality without overtly stating it? Does the film effectively convey the story of Blanche's marriage, and how does it differ from the stage script in this interpretation?

The screenplay has Blanche express disgust at her husband not for being gay, but for being a poet. However, Vivien Leigh's performance makes it clear that "poet" is euphemistic, and the point gets across. It just requires a little more attention to the subtext than in the original play, which is straightforward with its account of Allan's sexuality.

At points throughout the play, Blanche hears the music of a polka, the song that was playing the night her husband died. Trace the occurrences of this tune and note what conclusions can be drawn about her mental state when she is hearing this music. How does it compare to the occurrences of the "blue piano" in the stage directions?

The Varsouviana was the music playing at the moment of Blanche's loss of innocence, and it has been haunting her ever since. It first appears when she is actively thinking about her dead husband, but as the play progresses the tune's increased presence highlights her slipping grip on reality.

Two of Williams most popular plays, Streetcar and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, have characters who are preoccupied with the memory of a loved one who committed suicide after being confronted about their homosexuality – the "dead gay man" who haunts so many of Williams' plays. Compare Blanche's recollections of Allan with Brick's of Skipper. Can a connection be drawn between the gunshot that always ends the Varsouviana and the "click" that brings Brick peace when he drinks?

Williams utilizes a similar device in Blanche's gunshot and Brick's click - both of these serve to dramatize characters' internal thoughts and conflicts in a way that is appropriate to the stage. They also serve as motivators for the characters - Brick is drinking his memories into oblivion, and Blanche's memories are crowing constantly into her consciousness, relieved only by death.

The truth is a mutating, subjective figure in Streetcar, with each of the principals having a different relationship with the idea of "truth." How does Williams express these relationships, and what role do they have on the narrative?

In sum, Stanley seeks truth, Stella hides from truth, and Blanche manipulates truth. Blanche covers the truth in paper lanterns, dressing it up into what she wants it to be, and honestly believing that she has the power to bend reality to her will. Stanley's role is to peel away Blanche's layers of illusion, and Stella is caught in between, aware of lies but choosing to pick up her sister's method of dealing with reality by changing it to suit her life.

Streetcar is a very "New Orleans" play, closely tied to its location in space and time, while tackling universal themes and relationships. What role does New Orleans play in the work? How do the characters interact with the city, and how does the city impact the narrative? Can you imagine a production set in a different time and place? How would that change the play?

You could put Streetcar in another environment of weakened economic conditions and mutating social standards, but it would be a fundamentally different play outside the Old South, and specifically New Orleans. New Orleans occupies a unique place as a bastion of old wealth and gentility while also being home to jazz, Mardi Gras, and Bourbon Street. Like Blanche, New Orleans is a faded rose fallen into hard times and cheap thrills, and this is vital to the play.

"I couldn't believe her story and go on living with Stanley," Stella says at the end of the play. Examine this statement – is Stella showing a remarkable self-awareness? Or perhaps self-justification? Compare Stella's behavior in the final scene to that of Stanley and Mitch.

Depending on the performance, Stella can be either heartlessly condemning her sister to save her own way of life, or showing that she honestly loves Stanley so much that she is incapable of disbelieving him. Her statement is wonderfully ambiguous and layered; meanwhile, Stanley sees Blanche off with good riddance, and Mitch bemoans the situation but is powerless to change it.

Stella and Stanley's conversation in scene seven is punctuated by Blanche singing "Paper Moon" in the bathroom. What function does the song play in the scene? What significance does this particular song have to the characters? Why do you think Williams chose to underscore this scene in the way he did?

Paper Moon serves as a constant reminder to the Kowalskis of Blanche's presence in the apartment and in their lives. While living with them, she has completely invaded their existence, even punctuating their private conversations. It also adds poignance and contrast, as Stanley describes Blanche's downfall while she, unsuspecting, continues to carries on with her daily routine. The song itself is also well chosen. The chorus of "it's only a paper moon, sailing over a cardboard sea, but it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me" expresses Blanche's fundamental world-view that what's fake can be made real if you just pretend hard enough.

Clearly, a main theme of Streetcar is "desire." But does this key word refer only to physical desire, lust? What other desires are present in the story and characterizations?

Although lust is the dominant form of desire in Streetcar, it is not the only one. Blanche is motivated by sexual desire but also by a rejection of the same, desiring stability and a fresh start instead. She is a character full of needs and wants, unlike Stanley and Stella who were perfectly content with their lot in life until Blanche came to town.

What is the relationship between sexuality and death in the play, and how does it factor into Blanche's nymphomania and fear of aging?

Starting with Blanche's transfer from the Streetcar Named Desire to the Streetcar Named Cemeteries, sexuality and death are connected in the play. Those cars and the themes they symbolize run together to Blanche's final destination and ruination. Blanche's loss of innocence arose out of a death, and more deaths led to her sexual experimentation - for her, death and desire go hand in hand.

GradeSaver will pay $15 for your literature essays

A Streetcar Named Desire Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for A Streetcar Named Desire is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What is the significance of the hand mirror Blanche looks into in this scene? What does she confront through this action?

I see no evidence of a hand mirror in Scene V. Please provide the text in question.

The difference between Blanche and Stanley’s social background is shown through their way of speaking. What are some quotes from scene 2 to support the following statements

STANLEY: What's all this monkey doings?

Blanche explains that she knows she fibs a lot, because "after all, a woman's charm is fifty percent illusion"

You can clearly see the difference in diction.

strange man

re you referring to Streetcar Named Desire?

Study Guide for A Streetcar Named Desire

A Streetcar Named Desire study guide contains a biography of Tennessee Williams, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

  • About A Streetcar Named Desire
  • A Streetcar Named Desire Summary
  • Character List

Essays for A Streetcar Named Desire

A Streetcar Named Desire literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of A Streetcar Named Desire.

  • Chekhov's Influence on the Work of Tennessee Williams
  • Morality and Immorality (The Picture of Dorian Gray and A Streetcar Named Desire)
  • Traditionalism versus Defiance in a Streetcar Named Desire
  • Comparing Social and Ethnic Tensions in A Streetcar Named Desire and Blues for Mister Charlie
  • The Wolf's Jaws: Brutality and Abandonment in A Streetcare Named Desire

Lesson Plan for A Streetcar Named Desire

  • About the Author
  • Study Objectives
  • Introduction to A Streetcar Named Desire
  • Relationship to Other Books
  • Notes to the Teacher

Wikipedia Entries for A Streetcar Named Desire

  • Introduction
  • Stage productions
  • Adaptations

essay topics for streetcar named desire

A Streetcar Named Desire: Tragedy of Ephemeral Dreams

This essay about explores the poignant tragedy of Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Residing in the fading opulence of New Orleans, Blanche’s delicate façade conceals a tumultuous past. The narrative delves into her collision with primal forces, embodied by her brother-in-law Stanley, and the unraveling of her fragile sanity. As her illusions crumble, Blanche faces rejection and ultimately embarks on a harrowing journey into the unknown, symbolized by the streetcar named “Desire.” The short summary captures the essence of Blanche’s tragic tale without delving into elaborate details. PapersOwl showcases more free essays that are examples of Blanche DuBois.

How it works

In the smoky ambiance of a forgotten epoch, amid the meandering alleys of New Orleans, resided a woman of ephemeral poise and fractured aspirations – Blanche DuBois. Her life, a delicate ballet tiptoeing on the edge of actuality and fantasy, unfolded amidst the remnants of crumbling splendor.

Blanche, with her alabaster façade and haunting gaze, sought refuge in the modest sanctuary of her sister Stella. This was an escape from the wreckage of her own existence, a fractured mosaic of antiquated Southern nobility slipping through her fingers like grains of fine sand.

In the lyrical narrative woven by Tennessee Williams in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Blanche emerged as a tragic muse, a vestige of Southern aristocracy corroded by time and the unyielding winds of transformation. Her genteel dresses and refined manners veiled the turmoil within – a storm of lost love, shattered ambitions, and a specter of scandal that clung to her like the humid air of the French Quarter.

The apartment, a crucible of yearning and desperation, became the stage for Blanche’s collision with her brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski. Stanley, an elemental force of primal masculinity, saw through the fragile veneer Blanche projected. Their dynamic unfolded as a tango, a collision of sensibilities and social strata echoing through the suffocating chambers.

Blanche’s history, a mosaic of longing and disgrace, unraveled as the play excavated her memories. The phantoms of lost love and the reverberations of a marriage steeped in tragedy haunted her delicate psyche. The flickering lightbulbs cast shadows that pirouetted with the ghosts of her past, each step a hesitant dance with the demons she desperately aimed to elude.

Her tenuous grip on reality slackened further as she sought solace in Mitch, a tender suitor who glimpsed beyond the facades Blanche erected. Yet, as truth manifested like Spanish moss in the Southern breeze, Mitch recoiled from the tarnished veracity lurking beneath the veneer of Blanche’s genteel allure. The apartment, once a refuge, transformed into a confessional where Blanche laid bare her soul, only to be met with rejection.

The climax of Blanche’s descent unfurled in the merciless glare of a solitary lightbulb, a metaphorical spotlight on the unraveling tapestry of her frail sanity. The tragic revelation of her past sins, the violation she endured, and the fragmented remnants of her illusions were laid bare for all to witness. The streetcar named “Desire” arrived, a harbinger of the inevitable destiny awaiting Blanche.

As the curtain descended on the final act, Blanche, stripped of her illusions and garbed in the ragged remnants of her dignity, embarked on an odyssey into the unfamiliar – committed to a mental institution. The apartment, once an enclave for secrets, bore witness to the ephemeral nature of dreams and the unyielding reality awaiting those confronting the relentless march of time.

Blanche DuBois, a tragic figure sculpted by the quill of Tennessee Williams, became an enduring emblem of the fragility of the human spirit. Her chronicle, a haunting symphony of desire and desolation, resonated through the corridors of American literature, imprinting an indelible mark on the collective psyche. In the humid embrace of New Orleans, Blanche’s footsteps dissipated into the mist, a phantom of faded grandeur and shattered dreams lingering in the Southern breeze.

owl

Cite this page

A Streetcar Named Desire: Tragedy of Ephemeral Dreams. (2024, Feb 20). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/a-streetcar-named-desire-tragedy-of-ephemeral-dreams/

"A Streetcar Named Desire: Tragedy of Ephemeral Dreams." PapersOwl.com , 20 Feb 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/a-streetcar-named-desire-tragedy-of-ephemeral-dreams/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). A Streetcar Named Desire: Tragedy of Ephemeral Dreams . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/a-streetcar-named-desire-tragedy-of-ephemeral-dreams/ [Accessed: 14 Apr. 2024]

"A Streetcar Named Desire: Tragedy of Ephemeral Dreams." PapersOwl.com, Feb 20, 2024. Accessed April 14, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/a-streetcar-named-desire-tragedy-of-ephemeral-dreams/

"A Streetcar Named Desire: Tragedy of Ephemeral Dreams," PapersOwl.com , 20-Feb-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/a-streetcar-named-desire-tragedy-of-ephemeral-dreams/. [Accessed: 14-Apr-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). A Streetcar Named Desire: Tragedy of Ephemeral Dreams . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/a-streetcar-named-desire-tragedy-of-ephemeral-dreams/ [Accessed: 14-Apr-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

owl

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

Topics Base

Everything begins with an idea!

A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Topics

A Streetcar Named Desire is among the world’s most read plays and watched films. Written by Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire is an American theater play. The play is all about Blanche Dubois, an upper-class and flimsy woman living in a romantic world of illusions. Writing about this famous play requires good A Streetcar Named Desire essay topics

Blanche DuBois is portrayed as a woman who faces extreme levels of exploitation, pain, and agony. Blanche DuBois lives a life of misery and sorrows that involves the loss of loved ones, pain-numbing life experiences, and costly life standards. Amid these sufferings, Blanche DuBois decides to start life afresh by moving to her sister Stella who lives in New Orleans.

Unique A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Topics

Moving to New Orleans doesn’t make life easier, either. She has to struggle to live with almost the same miseries and pains she had at her home place. While watching or reading the Streetcar Named Desire, students can learn a whole lot of things. Some of these things will be queried in A Streetcar Named Desire essays . In some instances, the essay assignments will be about selected topics, while in other cases, a student will have to choose a topic on their own. Here are some A Streetcar Named Desire essay topics:

  • The adverse effects of letting humanly desire to control you
  • Blanche DuBois loses her sanity: How does it happen and what triggers it
  • The gender issues Tennessee Williams trying to portray in A Streetcar Named Desire
  • The way Tennessee Williams Portrays Masculinity in the play A Streetcar Named Desire
  • The lives of Stanley and Blanche as a reflection of the effects of wrong desires
  • The themes of fantasy and illusion in the play A Streetcar Named Desire
  • The theme of intimacy as portrayed in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
  • Why it is so hard for Blanche to comprehend the fact that Stanley is her sister’s lover?
  • Blanche is highly attracted to young boys: How does that affect her life and lead to her downfall?
  • The primary differences between the two female characters Stella and Blanche in the play A Streetcar Named Desire
  • A glimpse on the societal expectations of women when A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee was published
  • The differences between Mitch and other men in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
  • The way A Streetcar Named Desire portrays the Southern Elites and the Working Class
  • The characters and behaviors of Blanche are different when she is alone and when alongside other people: Explain and describe real scenarios
  • The role the child sired by Stella and Stanley represents in the play A Streetcar Named Desire
  • The importance of alcohol in the play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
  • What is the relationship between Stella and Stanley like?
  • Why does Stella choose to stay despite the maltreatment and abuses by her husband, Stanley?
  • What does the streetcar symbolize in the play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams?
  • How is sexual Desire portrayed as the prerequisite and destroyer of love in the play A Streetcar Named Desire?
  • The literacy techniques used by Tennessee Williams in the play

Have top experts do your papers.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The Edvocate

  • Lynch Educational Consulting
  • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
  • Write For Us
  • The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
  • The Edvocate Podcast
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Assistive Technology
  • Best PreK-12 Schools in America
  • Child Development
  • Classroom Management
  • Early Childhood
  • EdTech & Innovation
  • Education Leadership
  • First Year Teachers
  • Gifted and Talented Education
  • Special Education
  • Parental Involvement
  • Policy & Reform
  • Best Colleges and Universities
  • Best College and University Programs
  • HBCU’s
  • Higher Education EdTech
  • Higher Education
  • International Education
  • The Awards Process
  • Finalists and Winners of The 2022 Tech Edvocate Awards
  • Finalists and Winners of The 2021 Tech Edvocate Awards
  • Finalists and Winners of The 2020 Tech Edvocate Awards
  • Finalists and Winners of The 2019 Tech Edvocate Awards
  • Finalists and Winners of The 2018 Tech Edvocate Awards
  • Finalists and Winners of The 2017 Tech Edvocate Awards
  • Award Seals
  • GPA Calculator for College
  • GPA Calculator for High School
  • Cumulative GPA Calculator
  • Grade Calculator
  • Weighted Grade Calculator
  • Final Grade Calculator
  • The Tech Edvocate
  • AI Powered Personal Tutor

College Minor: Everything You Need to Know

14 fascinating teacher interview questions for principals, tips for success if you have a master’s degree and can’t find a job, 14 ways young teachers can get that professional look, which teacher supplies are worth the splurge, 8 business books every teacher should read, conditional admission: everything you need to know, college majors: everything you need to know, 7 things principals can do to make a teacher observation valuable, 3 easy teacher outfits to tackle parent-teacher conferences, fascinating research topics about a streetcar named desire.

essay topics for streetcar named desire

Fascinating Research Topics about A Streetcar Named Desire

  • The Struggle Between Stanley and Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire
  • The Combination of Eros and Thanatos in A Streetcar Named Desire
  • The Two Unique Universes of Stella in the Play A Streetcar Named Desire
  • Williams Presentation of Illusion and Fantasy as Themes in A Streetcar Named Desire
  • Alcoholism, Savagery, Sexuality, and Joy in the Play, A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
  • The Connection between Desire and Death in A Streetcar Named Desire, a Play by Tennessee Williams
  • Theatrical Set of A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
  • Loneliness, Female versus Male Contemplations and Ways, and the Role of Family in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
  • Masculinity and Femininity in “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Ariel”
  • Romantic Love as the Focal Point of Conflict in A Streetcar Named Desire
  • A Streetcar Named Desire: Reality and Illusion
  • A Streetcar Named Desire: The Realistic Fantasy
  • The Interrelationship of Characters and Topics in Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire
  • Historical, Social, and Cultural Setting of Tennessee Williams on “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • The Use of Grotesque in Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire
  • The Mix of Tragic and Comic Components in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
  • Analysis of the Female Characters’ Similarities and Differences in A Streetcar Named Desire
  • The Downfall of the American Dream in Great Gatsby and A Streetcar Named Desire
  • The Characters’ Symbolic Interactions in Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire
  • The Significance and Risk of Illusions in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

 Fascinating Topics to Write about A Streetcar Named Desire

  • The Purposes of Colors and Lighting in Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire
  • How Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire Explores the Dual Conflicts Between Civilization and Savagery, Old and New, and Appearance and Reality.
  • Blanche, The Tragic Heroine in Tennessee Williams’ Play, A Streetcar Named Desire
  • Analysis Of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire as a Tragic Comedy
  • The Use of Past and Present as Themes in A Streetcar Named Desire, a Play by Tennessee Williams
  • A Streetcar Named Desire: Self Delusion and SIlence
  • Complexity of the Principal Characters in the Novel, A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
  • The Use of Illusions as a Self-Defense Mechanism Against Reality and Inner Demons in Tennessee Williams’ Play A Streetcar Named Desire
  • Williams’ Utilization Of Symbolism And Imagery In A Streetcar Named Desire
  • Deluded Dreams About Love and Goal for Life in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
  • How the Blanche and Stella’s Relationship Contributes to the Dramatic Effect of “A Streetcar Named Desire“
  • The Image of a Southern Belle in A Streetcar Named Desire , a Play by Tennessee Williams
  • Death and Desire in Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire
  • Gender Generalizations In The Play ” A Streetcar Named Desire ” By Tennessee Williams
  • The Importance of Music in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
  • Facing Reality Without Relying upon Individuals from the Opposite Sex in A Streetcar Named Desire, a Play by Tennessee Williams
  • Tennessee Williams’ Play A Streetcar Named Desire’s Masterful Use of Poetic Dialogue
  • A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams: Prey and Predator
  • Domestic Violence in A Streetcar Named Desire
  • How a Streetcar Named Desire and The Duchess of Malfi Illustrate the Theme of Powerless Women

 A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Questions

  • Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Perspective on Human instinct in “An Exceptionally Elderly person With Gigantic Wings.”
  • “An Exceptionally Elderly person With Colossal Wings”: Tale About Associations With Society
  • View of the Introduction of Moral Debasement in “An Extremely Elderly person With Colossal Wings.”
  • A Story of Destiny, Appreciation, and Heavenliness in “An Exceptionally Elderly person With Tremendous Wings.”
  • A Heavenly messenger or Just “An Extremely Elderly person With Huge Wings.”
  • Tone, Incongruity, and Style of the Story “An Exceptionally Elderly person With Gigantic Wings.”
  • Magical Authenticity Perspectives in “An Exceptionally Elderly person With Huge Wings.”
  • The Methods of Leniency Portrayal in “An Extremely Elderly person With Colossal Wings.”
  • Themes and Thoughts of “An Extremely Elderly person With Gigantic Wings.”
  • “An Extremely Elderly person With Gigantic Wings”: Short Rundown
  • Representation of Human Reactions in “An Exceptionally Elderly person With Gigantic Wings.”
  • Relationship Between the Working and Privileged societies in “An Extremely Elderly person With Colossal Wings.”
  • The Mercilessness of Humanity in “An Exceptionally Elderly person With Tremendous Wings.”
  • “An Exceptionally Elderly person With Colossal Wings” as an Ideal Illustration of Mystical Authenticity
  • Nature of Opportunity Topic in “An Exceptionally Elderly person With Colossal Wings.”
  • The Utilization of Symbolism in “An Exceptionally Elderly person With Colossal Wings.”
  • Comparative Investigation Between “An Exceptionally Elderly person With Colossal Wings” and “Man-made intelligence.”
  • Faithlessness in “An Exceptionally Elderly person With Gigantic Wings.”
  • Magical Authenticity in Setting: Examination of “An Exceptionally Elderly person With Gigantic Wings.”
  •  Analysis of Social Standards in “An Exceptionally Elderly person With Huge Wings.”

Essay Topics for The Play, A Raisin ...

Fascinating topics to write about a very ....

' src=

Matthew Lynch

Related articles more from author, electrical engineering essay topics, good research topics about integrity, macroeconomics essay topics, developing countries essay topics, fascinating classical music essay topics, simple & easy mona lisa essay topics.

  • International
  • Schools directory
  • Resources Jobs Schools directory News Search

8x A* 'A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE' ESSAYS for A Level English Literature

8x A* 'A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE' ESSAYS for A Level English Literature

Subject: English

Age range: 16+

Resource type: Assessment and revision

tomco_

Last updated

22 June 2019

  • Share through email
  • Share through twitter
  • Share through linkedin
  • Share through facebook
  • Share through pinterest

docx, 20.85 KB

This is a bank of 8 ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ Essays submitted as part of the Edexcel A Level English Literature course. All of them were marked and were either a high Level 4 or Level 5, which, when using the grade boundaries from last year, means that they are all an A* standard. This is useful to teachers, who are looking to share exemplar essays with their students. It’s also useful to students themselves who are looking to compare their work or improve. All the questions answered cover various themes and characters to ensure students are best prepared for the exam. This resource might be useful for a reverse essay planning exercise, where students have to generate an essay plan from a pre-written essay. It might also be good for students to self-assess, to identify what the Exam Board are looking for and where

The questions answered are:

‘Despite the excitement and clamour, the play essentially shows us the vulnerability of human beings.’ In the light of this comment, explore Williams’ dramatic presentation of vulnerability in A Streetcar Named Desire. In your answer you must consider relevant contextual factors.

‘Williams viewed the characters he created as ‘my little company of the faded and frightened, the difficult, the odd, the lonely’. In light of this statement, explore Williams’ presentation of key characters. In your answer you must consider relevant contextual factors.

‘When a play employs unconventional techniques it is not, or certainly shouldn’t be, trying to escape its responsibility of dealing with reality.’ In the light of this comment, explore Williams’ dramatic presentation of reality. In your answer you must consider relevant contextual factors.

‘Elysian Fields is a world filled with violence, in which Blanche cannot survive.’ In the light of this comment, explore Williams’ dramatic presentation of violence in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. In your answer you must consider relevant contextual factors.

‘Mitch may be a weak character, but his treatment of Blanche is still disturbing and harmful.’ In the light of this comment, explore Williams’ dramatic presentation of Mitch. In your answer you must consider relevant contextual factors.

‘Blanche to Mitch: I don’t want you to think I am severe and old-maid school-teacherish or anything like that…I guess it is just that I have … old-fashioned ideals!’ In light of this quotation, explore Williams’ presentation of characters’ attitudes to sex and sexuality. In your answer you must consider relevant contextual factors.

‘A Streetcar Named Desire is a play concerned with the conflict between the old world and the new.’ In light of this comment, explore Williams’ presentation of the conflict between Blanche and Stanley so far. In your answer you must consider relevant contextual factors.

Evaluate Williams’ presentation of the setting and characters presented in the exposition of his play A Streetcar Named Desire. You should make links to relevant contextual factors.

Tes paid licence How can I reuse this?

Your rating is required to reflect your happiness.

It's good to leave some feedback.

Something went wrong, please try again later.

Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user

lizrose0131

The answers are okay, but they require more context and the writing style would be close to grade A.

Thank you for the feedback - I will change the listing appropriately.

Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.

Not quite what you were looking for? Search by keyword to find the right resource:

A Streetcar Named Desire: Language and Imagery

Understanding language and imagery.

  • “A Streetcar Named Desire” is celebrated for its rich language and vivid imagery which helps communicate the tensions, themes and personalities of the characters.
  • Tennessee Williams cleverly uses various literary devices such as symbolism, metaphors, and figurative language to add layers of interpretation to the play.
  • Understanding this can enhance one’s appreciation of the depth of portrayal and insightfulness of the play.
  • The streetcar itself is a powerful symbol, reflecting the path that Blanche has taken in her life. Its name - ‘Desire’ - represents her past promiscuity while ‘Cemeteries’, its final destination, could represent the end of Blanche’s life as she knows it.
  • Light and Darkness : Blanche’s constant need to hide her age and her past is emphasized through the frequent mentions of light, shadows and darkness. Light represents reality, which Blanche fears, while darkness stands for illusion and secrecy.
  • The paper lantern she puts over the bulb is another symbol representing her attempts to mask and soften the harsh truth of her life.

Metaphors and Figurative Language

  • Animalistic Imagery : Williams frequently uses animal metaphors particularly to describe Stanley’s behaviour, emphasizing his primal, raw, and physical nature.
  • Floral Imagery : Blanche is often associated with flowers, signifying her frailty, delicacy and transient beauty.
  • Tarantula Arms : This metaphor underscores Stanley’s predatory nature against Blanche’s delicate vulnerability.

Significant Quotes

  • “They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, and then transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at - Elysian Fields!” – Blanche’s arrival sets up the symbolic trajectory of her character through the play.
  • “I can hardly stand it when he is away for the night” - Stella’s description of Stanley uses sensual, passionate language that demonstrates their carnal relationship.
  • Stanley’s description of Blanche as “the Queen of the Nile setting in state” is heavily saturated with sarcasm , highlighting his sneering contempt for her pretentious airs.

Key Themes Highlighted Through Language and Imagery

  • Illusion vs. reality : The deceptive nature of Blanche’s character and her desire to escape the reality of her past are amplified through symbolic use of light and darkness.
  • Animalistic Desire : Stanley’s raw and primitive character is emphasized through repeated use of animal metaphors.
  • Decay and death : The journey of the streetcar and its final destination, the decay of Blanche’s beauty and former life, all point towards the pervading theme of decay and death.

Studying the Use of Language and Imagery

  • An understanding of Williams’ use of language and imagery adds depth to the character analyis, offering insights into their motivations, conflicts, and complex personalities.
  • Attention to these details will provide a richer analysis in your critical essay, supporting your interpretations and arguments with textual evidence.

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

  • Essay Database >
  • Essays Examples >
  • Essay Topics

Essays on Streetcar Named Desire

14 samples on this topic

To some learners, composing Streetcar Named Desire papers comes easy; others require the help of various kinds. The WowEssays.com collection includes professionally crafted sample essays on Streetcar Named Desire and related issues. Most definitely, among all those Streetcar Named Desire essay examples, you will find a paper that get in line with what you see as a decent paper. You can be sure that literally every Streetcar Named Desire piece showcased here can be used as a bright example to follow in terms of general structure and composing different chapters of a paper – introduction, main body, or conclusion.

If, however, you have a hard time coming up with a good Streetcar Named Desire essay or don't have even a minute of extra time to browse our sample catalog, our free essay writer service can still be of great help to you. The matter is, our authors can craft a sample Streetcar Named Desire paper to your individual needs and specific requirements within the defined interval. Buy college essays today!

Free Essay About American Society: Post World War II

Free essay on realist and can see right through blanche. he eventually confronts her, destroying, streetcar named desire literature review samples, good revealing the masque of desire essay example, free the loner who would spent most of his time at his typewriter essay example, a streetcar named desire essay, research paper on the character blanche in a streetcar named desire, naturalism in tennessee williams a streetcar named desire essay examples, research paper on a streetcar named desire, example of male chauvinism book review, example of a street car named desire by tennessee williams book review.

275 words = 1 page double-spaced

submit your paper

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

IMAGES

  1. Streetcar Named Desire

    essay topics for streetcar named desire

  2. 8x A* 'A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE' ESSAYS for A Level English Literature

    essay topics for streetcar named desire

  3. The Role of the Past in a Streetcar Named Desire

    essay topics for streetcar named desire

  4. Essay on A Streetcar Named Desire Free Essay Example

    essay topics for streetcar named desire

  5. A Streetcar Named Desire Revision

    essay topics for streetcar named desire

  6. Expository essay: Essay on streetcar named desire

    essay topics for streetcar named desire

VIDEO

  1. A Streetcar Named Desire Summary part 1

  2. A Streetcar Named Desire 2019

  3. Introduction to A Streetcar Named Desire

  4. Write Essay on Advantages and disadvantages of car ~Car Essay for lower grades

  5. A Streetcar Named Desire: Scene 1[Guided Read]

  6. Streetcar named desire, V7+

COMMENTS

  1. A Streetcar Named Desire: Suggested Essay Topics

    What does its presence or absence indicate? 2. How does Williams use sound as a dramatic device? 3. How does Blanche's fascination with teenage boys relate to her decline and fall? 4. Compare and contrast Mitch to the other men in the play. 5. Compare and contrast Blanche and Stella.

  2. 107 A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Questions, Topics, & Examples

    🖊️ Interesting A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Topics. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts. 808 writers online . Learn More . The Uses of Colors an Lighting in Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" ...

  3. A Streetcar Named Desire Essay

    An Examination of The Character of Blanche in a Streetcar Named Desire. 5 pages / 2287 words. In Tennessee Williams' play, A Streetcar Named Desire, the nature of theatricality, "magic," and "realism," all stem from the tragic character, Blanche DuBois. Blanche is both a theatricalizing and self-theatricalizing woman.

  4. A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Topics

    Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt ...

  5. A Streetcar Named Desire Study Guide

    That Rattle-trap Streetcar Named Desire. The Desire streetcar line operated in New Orleans from 1920 to 1948, going through the French Quarter to its final stop on Desire Street. Streetcar on the silver screen. The original 1947 Broadway production of Streetcar shot Marlon Brando, who played Stanley Kowalski, to stardom. Brando's legendary ...

  6. A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Questions

    A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Questions. 1. A Streetcar Named Desire is laden with symbolism and metaphor. Pick one of the many recurring symbols - light, flowers, fire, bathing, meat - and trace its occurrence through the play. What does this motif add to the story and characterizations?

  7. A Streetcar Named Desire: Tragedy of Ephemeral Dreams

    Need a custom essay on the same topic? Give us your paper requirements, choose a writer and we'll deliver the highest-quality essay! Order now. In the lyrical narrative woven by Tennessee Williams in "A Streetcar Named Desire," Blanche emerged as a tragic muse, a vestige of Southern aristocracy corroded by time and the unyielding winds of ...

  8. A Streetcar Named Desire Critical Essays

    It is for his plays that he is most widely known. The most successful of these, in both commercial and critical terms, are The Glass Menagerie (1944), A Streetcar Named Desire (1947), Cat on a Hot ...

  9. A Streetcar Named Desire Essays and Criticism

    Theater Review of A Streetcar Named Desire. First published on December 4, 1947, this laudatory review by Atkinson appraises the play's debut and labels Williams's work as a "superb drama ...

  10. A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Topics

    Here are some A Streetcar Named Desire essay topics: Get Writing Help. Rated 4.8 out of 5. The adverse effects of letting humanly desire to control you. Blanche DuBois loses her sanity: How does it happen and what triggers it. The gender issues Tennessee Williams trying to portray in A Streetcar Named Desire.

  11. Fascinating Research Topics About A Streetcar Named Desire

    0. Spread the love. Fascinating Research Topics about A Streetcar Named Desire. The Struggle Between Stanley and Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire. The Combination of Eros and Thanatos in A Streetcar Named Desire. The Two Unique Universes of Stella in the Play A Streetcar Named Desire. Williams Presentation of Illusion and Fantasy as Themes ...

  12. 8x A* 'A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE' ESSAYS for A Level English Literature

    docx, 26.35 KB. This is a bank of 8 'A Streetcar Named Desire' Essays submitted as part of the Edexcel A Level English Literature course. All of them were marked and were either a high Level 4 or Level 5, which, when using the grade boundaries from last year, means that they are all an A* standard. This is useful to teachers, who are ...

  13. A Streetcar Named Desire: Theme & Key Quotes: Dependence

    A Streetcar Named Desire: Theme & Key Quotes: Dependence A Streetcar Named Desire: Theme & Key Quotes: Dependence Theme: Dependence. Dependence on Men: Blanche constantly seeks male companionship, remaining dependent on men for her economic, emotional and societal survival.This dependency underlines her inherent vulnerability and is pivotal to her eventual downfall.

  14. A Streetcar Named Desire Essay

    A Streetcar Named Desire. The play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams examines the theme of both death and desire. Williams presents the only options of life as being one of these two options. Either you choose to figuratively die or you succumb to your desires. You must make to choice and life and battle death and go towards desire.

  15. A Streetcar Named Desire: Context: The American South

    Unlimited past paper questions on every topic. Personalised, examiner feedback on your answers. Everything you need to know about A Streetcar Named Desire: Context: The American South for the Higher English SQA exam, totally free, with assessment questions, text & videos.

  16. A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Examples

    Get your free examples of research papers and essays on A Streetcar Named Desire here. Only the A-papers by top-of-the-class students. Learn from the best! ... Essays on A Streetcar Named Desire. 14 samples on this topic . Writing lots of A Streetcar Named Desire papers is an immanent part of modern studying, be it in high-school, college, or ...

  17. A Streetcar Named Desire: Full Play Analysis

    Full Play Analysis. The central conflict in A Streetcar Named Desire occurs between two people representing disparate social backgrounds, incompatible natures, and opposing approaches to life. Blanche DuBois is a descendent of an aristocratic, decadent family of plantation-owners, and she is sensitive, cultured, and devoted to manners and ...

  18. A Streetcar Named Desire: Language and Imagery

    A Streetcar Named Desire: Language and Imagery A Streetcar Named Desire: Language and Imagery Understanding Language and Imagery "A Streetcar Named Desire" is celebrated for its rich language and vivid imagery which helps communicate the tensions, themes and personalities of the characters.; Tennessee Williams cleverly uses various literary devices such as symbolism, metaphors, and ...

  19. Streetcar Named Desire Essay Examples

    Get your free examples of research papers and essays on Streetcar Named Desire here. Only the A-papers by top-of-the-class students. Learn from the best! ... Essay Topics. Essays on Streetcar Named Desire. 14 samples on this topic . To some learners, composing Streetcar Named Desire papers comes easy; others require the help of various kinds ...

  20. A Streetcar Named Desire: Important Quotes Explained

    Important Quotes Explained. They told me to take a street-car named Desire, and transfer to one called Cemeteries, and ride six blocks and get off at—Elysian Fields! Blanche speaks these words to Eunice and the Black woman upon arriving at the Kowalski apartment at the beginning of Scene One. She has just arrived in New Orleans and is ...