‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ – Tennessee Williams

When you come to write your coursework comparison, you will be

focusing on an area of your own choice. However, given that the
texts will also be useful to use as wider reading for the exam, you
should try to focus on the area of ‘the struggle for identity’.

Our struggle for identity is located within ourselves but it is also

affected by the world around us.
The key areas of study are:
Class
Socio-historical factors
Gender
Sexual identity
Race
Nationality
Community
Political
Religion
All the above work on you to make you the kind of person you are.

In studying ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, I want you to think about

the different kinds of ‘struggle for Identity’ presented in the play.

Through the character of Blanche Dubois and her interaction with

other characters, Williams explores many of those struggles:

Gender – a woman’s role in 1947 America. Contrast Blanche with

Stella – how they adapt, how they behave in the home. How
Williams presents masculinity and its impact on Blanche and
Stella.etc
Class – conflict between Stanley and Blanche, Mitch’s relationship
with Blanche. etc
Sexual Identity – Blanche’s flirtatious desire and collapse into
madness and the conflict between illusion and reality Contrast with
Stanley’s masculinity.etc.
Cultural, Social, Historical What impact do these have on
Blanche’s struggle? Consider the loss of Belle Reve and the old
Southern way of life, Stanley’s Huey Long Philosophy and the
changing world. The clash of cultures. etc.

Choose one of the above and find quotations throughout the play
which you can use to unpack and explore how Williams presents the
struggle for identity. Go through each scene, noticing stage
directions and dramatic devices as well as dialogue to use as
quotations. Track your responses through the play.
Explore how Williams presents the struggle for identity in ‘A
Streetcar Named Desire’ with a specific focus on…(select
from above)

I don’t want this in essay form. However, I would like to see your
unpacking of quotations and considered, detailed response.

Mrs Sims
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