"A Streetcar Named Desire"

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how the greatest debate among critics of "A Streetcar Named Desire" may be about who the hero of the play is, Stanley or Blanche. The writer proposes that both are heroes and that the play is a classical tragedy. The paper explores how both Blanche and Stanley fit the pattern for a classical tragic hero. They both have goals, which they themselves compromise because of a tragic flaw. The writer argues that what is unique to "A Streetcar Named Desire" is that there are two heroes, rather than one. The paper examines how their two tragic flaws have to combine in order to create the downfall of each of the heroes.

From the Paper:

"Stanley conforms almost exactly to the idea of a tragic hero. Not only does he have a clearly defined goal, but that goal mirrors the goals of the heroes that have come before him. Stanley's goal is the preservation of his kingdom and protecting it from outside threats. Of course, Stanley's kingdom is somewhat smaller than other heroes in literature; rather than an empire, Stanley's kingdom is a two room walk-up apartment in New Orleans. In addition, rather than ruling over thousands of subjects, Stanley rules over Stella. Therefore, Blanche's threats to Stanley's kingdom take on an almost petty cast; she drinks his liquor and takes up too much space in his small apartment."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Adler, Thomas P. A Street Car Named Desire: The Moth and the Lantern. Boston: Twayne,1990.
• Cole, Toby and Helen Krich Chinoy (eds.). Directors on Directing: A Source Book of the Modern Theatre, 2ed. New York: Macmillian, 1988.
• Nelson, Benjamin. Tennessee Williams: The Man and His Work. New York: Obolensky, 1961.

More papers on "A Streetcar Named Desire":

• Book Review # 86079 : "'A Streetcar Named Desire'"
• Term Paper # 75074 : "Seeing Through Blanche: "A Streetcar Named Desire"
• Analytical Essay # 58795 : "Symbols and Metaphors in "A Streetcar Named Desire"
• Analytical Essay # 120764 : "Power and Conflict in "A Streetcar Named Desire"

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