Review: ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams

Welcome back for another classic play review 🙂

I borrowed a copy of this play from my boyfriend, and as soon as I read it I knew I had to write a review of Tennessee William’s most famous play, ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’.

This well-known play by Tennessee Williams focuses on the life of Blanche DuBois, a woman who has suffered many personal losses down South, and moves in with her poor sister, Stella, and Stella’s husband, Stanley. Blanche has lost her family home, and arrives to her sister distraught and in need of help, having no money to her name and various debts.

However, as a former Southern Belle she is disgusted at the state in which she finds her sister, and insists on continuing with her haughty, spoilt ways, despite her current situation. For example, she continues to have long baths and make herself up as if she were still rich, and the sense she has of her own importance is both amusing and annoying.

As soon as she moves in with the couple, Stella’s husband has suspicions about his sister-in-law, and he makes it his mission to find out just why she has run away from Mississippi and moved in with them. Uncovering gossip, rumours and stories as he attempts to find out Blanche’s true motives for running to her sister, it becomes clear that Blanche had no choice but to leave Mississippi.

A theme which runs throughout this play is the uncertainty of what is truth and what is lies, culminating in a dramatic ending which leaves the audience wondering just how much of what they heard was true- how much was simply in Blanche’s head, or fabricated by Stanley to get full control of his wife.

I really enjoyed this play. I thought that the conflict between Stanley and Blanche was interesting to read, and I can imagine this is a great text to study, as there are lots of theories as to their conflict. The representations of Blanche, Stanley and Stella within society is very interesting.

This play comments on the position of women in society, and the ending in particular draws some alarming conclusions regarding one person’s word above another’s- and the big gender implications of this.

I can’t decide how I feel about the character of Blanche. On the one hand she was annoying and spoilt, and so vain. But then as I slowly began to hate Stanley more and more, I started to see how she could be seen as the victim of the play.

Stella was equally frustrating in her acceptance of Stanley’s behaviour, and the way in which she offered little resistance to his violent outbursts. However, again she can be seen as a victim, and her voicelessness could represent a greater issue in society.

Overall this was an enjoyable play, and brought up some interesting questions about who’s word should be trusted in society. As one of Tennessee Williams’ most famous plays, I could definitely see what all the fuss was about.

Have you read this play? What did you think of my review of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’? What do you think of the main characters in this play?

Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

Happy reading x

Picture credits here

35 thoughts

  4. I read this years ago and enjoyed it. Tennessee Williams had a love/hate relationship with the South and the people there. That shows in this play. I should read or see this again. It’s been so long. Thanks for the review.

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  7. I remember reading this play in high school and watching the short film. It was interesting and we picked apart a lot of the themes to understand it more. For some reason the character names really stuck in my memory.
    Great review.

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  9. It is a remarkable play (I’ve read it, seen it at the theatre and watched the movie many times). It has so many issues weaved carefully into the narrative and Marlon Brando (in his film version of the play) is incredible as Stanley who is a brute but also complex. I’m so glad you read it — it’s so worth it!

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  10. Great review! 🙂
    I haven‘t read this play but I want to! So far I‘ve only read french plays but that‘s already a long time ago. I need to read more classics but I‘m kind of intimidated by them. But one day I will read some of them!

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  11. I don’t recall reading any of Tennessee William’s works, but it’s been a while since I took any lit classes. I do not do much reading (above the level of Llama Llama that is), but look forward to getting back into it. I may have to add this to my list… or just cheat and watch the movie! If I read the play first I’m sure I’ll hate the movie.

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  16. I loved this review!! I had to read this in senior year of high school, and I remember how much we analyzed it and talked about the themes and characters. It’s been about four years since then, and I don’t remember too much about it – just the basics, but your review makes me want to reread it! 😊

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  18. Pingback: Review: ‘Sweet Bird of Youth’ by Tennessee Williams – Not-so-modern girl
  19. Pingback: Review: ‘Sweet Bird of Youth’ by Tennessee Williams – Not-So-Modern Girl

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