A Streetcar Named Desire is a 1947 play written by Tennessee Williams and is set in New Orleans in the 1940s It tells the story of Blanche Dubois, who is a Southern belle, who moves in with her sister and brother-in-law. This is a play filled with both tragedy and comedy, and a lot of symbolism to explore.
When analyzing A Streetcar Named Desire, it is important to consider various themes, such as gender roles, social class, and fate. Here are five great essay topics to help you get started:
1. Analyze the role of gender roles in the play. How does Blanche Dubois challenge traditional notions of femininity, and how does that contribute to the story?
2. Consider the importance of social class in the play. How does the family’s class status – particularly that of Blanche – influence their choices and interactions with other characters?
3. Analyze the symbolism of the streetcar that runs through the play. What does it represent?
4. Examine Stanley’s character. How does his masculinity affect his behavior throughout the play, and how does this shape the story?
5. Discuss the role of fate in the play. What role does it play in the lives of the characters and how does it ultimately lead to the climax of the story?