Explore the extent to which Williams presents Streetcar Named Desire as a tragedy
INTRO: Williams presents Streetcar Named Desire as a tragedy through employing the
Aristotelian character arc of tragedy, whereby the protagonist is set on restoring herself to her
older, privileged values, and continues to fail. As a progressive playwright, Williams employs the
use of plastic theatre to make accessible to foreshadowing and dramatisation of Blanche’s
downfall as a tragic hero.
Aristotelian view of tragedy - Relating to common man, not just the rich man who experiences grave
tragedies, Blanche is sthe symbol of tragedy
Tragedy is seen as someone trying (and failing) to fulfil their older self, Blanche is seen to do this through
her longing for Shep Huntleigh
Williams puts essences of his sister ‘Rose Williams’ and her tragic flaws into Blanche
Moreover think Blanche’s isolation reflects his social isolation
Point one - loss of Belle Reve → Setting is used to represent tragedy, juxtaposition of Belle Reve
with Stanley Kowalski’s apartment, apartment represents her decay. One room space, claustrophobic,
allowing tragedy to relate to the common man\
Blanche represents the declining South, particularly the plantation states and Stanley represents the
New America in pursuit of the American dream → materialistic desires, ‘The treasure chest of a
pirate!’ and values destroyed the Old South
Point two -
Williams uses clothing to display Blanche’s wish to return to her older state, but this fails and
she becomes a perversion of her old self ‘She has decked herself out in a somewhat soiled and
crumpled white satin evening gown and a pair of scuffed silver slippers’ - clothing represents
Blanche’s fragile state and dishevelled state as an Old Southern Belle.
Trying to call Shep Huntleigh - Method: uses idea of reality vs illusion and mental downfall to
reflect Blanche’s tragic nature
Shep is used as a symbol to represent the only lasting memories of Blanche’s past antebellum life, she
is clinging to Shep for this
Scene four - ‘Darling Shep. Sister and I in desperate situation’ - Informal tone
Symbol Continues to scene 10
- ‘Operator! Operator! Never mind long distance. Get Western union. There isn’t time to be -
Western - Western Union’
- ‘Help me! Caught in a trap. Caught in - Oh!’
Point three - Williams uses the locomotive to represent the destruction of all that is innocent, through
Stanleys presence in Blanche’s life
context: New American Dream, Blanche as a tragic character with a tragic flaw that leads to the
destruction of self
INTRO: Williams presents Streetcar Named Desire as a tragedy through employing the
Aristotelian character arc of tragedy, whereby the protagonist is set on restoring herself to her
older, privileged values, and continues to fail. As a progressive playwright, Williams employs the
use of plastic theatre to make accessible to foreshadowing and dramatisation of Blanche’s
downfall as a tragic hero.
Aristotelian view of tragedy - Relating to common man, not just the rich man who experiences grave
tragedies, Blanche is sthe symbol of tragedy
Tragedy is seen as someone trying (and failing) to fulfil their older self, Blanche is seen to do this through
her longing for Shep Huntleigh
Williams puts essences of his sister ‘Rose Williams’ and her tragic flaws into Blanche
Moreover think Blanche’s isolation reflects his social isolation
Point one - loss of Belle Reve → Setting is used to represent tragedy, juxtaposition of Belle Reve
with Stanley Kowalski’s apartment, apartment represents her decay. One room space, claustrophobic,
allowing tragedy to relate to the common man\
Blanche represents the declining South, particularly the plantation states and Stanley represents the
New America in pursuit of the American dream → materialistic desires, ‘The treasure chest of a
pirate!’ and values destroyed the Old South
Point two -
Williams uses clothing to display Blanche’s wish to return to her older state, but this fails and
she becomes a perversion of her old self ‘She has decked herself out in a somewhat soiled and
crumpled white satin evening gown and a pair of scuffed silver slippers’ - clothing represents
Blanche’s fragile state and dishevelled state as an Old Southern Belle.
Trying to call Shep Huntleigh - Method: uses idea of reality vs illusion and mental downfall to
reflect Blanche’s tragic nature
Shep is used as a symbol to represent the only lasting memories of Blanche’s past antebellum life, she
is clinging to Shep for this
Scene four - ‘Darling Shep. Sister and I in desperate situation’ - Informal tone
Symbol Continues to scene 10
- ‘Operator! Operator! Never mind long distance. Get Western union. There isn’t time to be -
Western - Western Union’
- ‘Help me! Caught in a trap. Caught in - Oh!’
Point three - Williams uses the locomotive to represent the destruction of all that is innocent, through
Stanleys presence in Blanche’s life
context: New American Dream, Blanche as a tragic character with a tragic flaw that leads to the
destruction of self
