*❤Introduction

A Streetcar Named Desire centers on a desolated woman named Blanche DuBois. Reared in Old South aristocratic traditions, she lived elegantly in the family homestead, married a man she adored, and pursued a career as an English teacher. But her life fell apart when she discovered that her husband, Allen Grey, was having a homosexual affair. Disgraced, he killed himself. Blanche sought comfort in the arms of other men, many men. After she had relations with one of her students, a 17-year-old, authorities learned of the encounter and fired her. Meanwhile, relatives died and she could not keep up the family home. Eventually, creditors seized it. The play begins when Blanche arrives in New Orleans to stay with her sister, Stella, and her crude, outspoken husband, Stanley Kowalski. Though scarred by her past, Blanche still tries to lead the life of an elegant lady and does her best, even lying when necessary, to keep up appearances.

.◆Setting

The action takes place between May and September in a shabby apartment building in the working-class district of New Orleans in the 1940's, shortly after the Second World War. The protagonist, Blanche Dubois, comes to New Orleans from Laurel, Miss., the site of the family homestead. Although no scenes are set in Laurel, the effect of the town and its Old South culture on the main character, Blanche DuBois, is important. Laurel is a real town in southeastern Mississippi. It has a a present population of about 18,000 and is the seat of Jones County. Laurel, which was named after the laurel shrubs growing abundantly in nearby forests, prospered early in the 20th Century as a lumbering center. Tennessee Williams, the author of A Streetcar Named Desire, was born in eastern Mississippi in the town of Columbus and was well aware of Mississippi customs and traditions.

.◆Characters

Blanche DuBois: Neurotic central character who lives in a fantasy world of Old South chivalry but cannot control her carnal desires.

Stella Kowalski: Blanche’s down-to-earth sister who seems satisfied with her life as the wife of a factory worker.

Stanley Kowalski: Stella’s churlish husband and the bane of Blanche’s existence.

Mitch, Steve, Pablo: Stanley’s poker partners. Mitch, Stanley’s best friend, woos Blanche until he finds out about her seamy past.

Eunice: Stanley and Blanche’s upstairs neighbor.

Allen Grey: Deceased husband of Blanche. His homosexual affair and suicide deeply scarred Blanche.

Young Man: Collector for The Evening Star newspaper.

Negro Woman.

Mexican Woman.

Shep Huntleigh: Imaginary beau of Blanche.

Doctor, Matron Physician and nurse from a mental hospital.

.◆Type of Work and Year of Publication

A Streetcar Named Desire is a stage play with elements of tragedy and pathos. It was published and performed in 1947 and.

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