Reading Assignment

• Read Scenes 5-11 (up through the end of Scene 4) in Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire

Discussion Prompt

Select ONE of the following prompts to respond to:

Option #1) Discuss the importance of the past in Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire. You might consider the past by analyzing how a particular character relates to their own past, such as how and why they represent or misrepresent their past, and how memories or fantasies of the past affects their interactions and relationships with other characters. Or, alternatively, you could reflect on how the play represents the tension between old and new values in American culture. How does the play represent and/or critique America's vision of its own past. Use textual evidence (at least one relevant quotation) to support your claims.

Option #2) Do you agree that the relationship of Blanche and Stanley, as it develops throughout the play, is simply one of victim and villain? If not, why not? What kinds of complexities is Tennessee Williams trying to explore through the Blanche-Stanley relationship? Use textual evidence (at least one relevant quotation) to support your claims.

Option #3) Does Stella ultimately choose Stanley over her sister? If so, why does she make this choice? Use textual evidence (at least one relevant quotation) to support your claims.

Option #4) Compare the different masculinities of Stanley, Mitch, and Allan. Alternatively, you might reflect on how Blanche and Stella represent different styles (or stereotypes) of femininity. What does the play have to say about gender issues in American society? How does the play intertwine themes of gender expression/identity with scenes of violence? Use textual evidence (at least one relevant quotation) to support your claims.

Option #5) What concerns about American society does Tennessee Williams articulate in A Streetcar Named Desire? Be specific in identifying the play's concerns and use textual evidence (at least one relevant quotation) to support your claims.

I chose option #3 to work on please and thank you! Please answer what it actually asks on the question. I would appreciate it so much, once again thank you and for your time and effort. 250 words. It is pretty simple as well!