Streetcar named desire was first performed in 1947
Less than 100 years after the American Civil war- this explains the divide between the North
and South
o Civil war was 1861-5
o The Southern Confederate states lost the civil war meaning the south became poor.
Following WW2:
o USA was emerging as a world superpower.
o Self reliance and hard work were regarded as the keys to success
o Post war tension between the sexes- women took a more active role during the war
and many men wanted to reverse this.
o Changes to sense of national identity
o Increasing immigration
o Increasing urbanization
The whole play is set in the cramped flat in the low income area.
Play is set after the great depression:
o The great depression was largely caused by the inequality between the rich and
poor, and as a result many of the wealthy had to curb their extravagant lifestyles.
o Unemployment and debt
o Blanche and her loss of Belle Reve tells a story about many rich families who
declined at the time.
Stanley represents the American Dream that all men are born equally and can succeed.
Idea that this is a Darwinian world- survival of the fittest.
Can streetcar be seen as a tragedy?
Aristotle’s claims that in a tragedy, the protagonist must be an admirable but flawed
character, with the audience able to sympathise with this character therefore. This
somewhat relates to the fall of Blanche
Though the main character doesn’t die, could argue this is still a metaphorical death
Tragedy of loss; disintegration of the mind; gender roles.
The fact that the rape of Blanche takes place off stage echoes classical Greek tragedy, in
which plays most climatic and violent act happens offstage.
Different working titles of the play:
The Poker Night- shows the idea of ruthless competition, and how this might also be a play
about chance. In poker you sometimes also have to play bluff- linking to how Blanche also
hides some aspects about herself.
Streetcar named desire- the theme of fate is perhaps implies through the title of the play. As
a streetcar is on rails, it cannot veer away from its designated direction.
Less than 100 years after the American Civil war- this explains the divide between the North
and South
o Civil war was 1861-5
o The Southern Confederate states lost the civil war meaning the south became poor.
Following WW2:
o USA was emerging as a world superpower.
o Self reliance and hard work were regarded as the keys to success
o Post war tension between the sexes- women took a more active role during the war
and many men wanted to reverse this.
o Changes to sense of national identity
o Increasing immigration
o Increasing urbanization
The whole play is set in the cramped flat in the low income area.
Play is set after the great depression:
o The great depression was largely caused by the inequality between the rich and
poor, and as a result many of the wealthy had to curb their extravagant lifestyles.
o Unemployment and debt
o Blanche and her loss of Belle Reve tells a story about many rich families who
declined at the time.
Stanley represents the American Dream that all men are born equally and can succeed.
Idea that this is a Darwinian world- survival of the fittest.
Can streetcar be seen as a tragedy?
Aristotle’s claims that in a tragedy, the protagonist must be an admirable but flawed
character, with the audience able to sympathise with this character therefore. This
somewhat relates to the fall of Blanche
Though the main character doesn’t die, could argue this is still a metaphorical death
Tragedy of loss; disintegration of the mind; gender roles.
The fact that the rape of Blanche takes place off stage echoes classical Greek tragedy, in
which plays most climatic and violent act happens offstage.
Different working titles of the play:
The Poker Night- shows the idea of ruthless competition, and how this might also be a play
about chance. In poker you sometimes also have to play bluff- linking to how Blanche also
hides some aspects about herself.
Streetcar named desire- the theme of fate is perhaps implies through the title of the play. As
a streetcar is on rails, it cannot veer away from its designated direction.
