A Streetcar Named Desire
A play about loss, desire, and family conflict in New Orleans.
It dramatizes the experiences of Blanche DuBois, a former Southern belle who, after personal losses, moves into a shabby apartment in the French Quarter of New Orleans rented by her sister Stella Kowalski and brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski.
- Playwright
- Tennessee Williams
- Setting
- French Quarter, New Orleans
- Main Characters
- Blanche DuBois, Stanley Kowalski, Stella Kowalski, Harold 'Mitch' Mitchell
- Original Director
- Elia Kazan
- Original Producer
- Irene Mayer Selznick
Lore & Background
Blanche DuBois arrives at her sister's apartment after losing the family home, Belle Reve, to creditors. She is in her thirties, destitute, and claims to have taken leave from teaching due to nerves—a lie later exposed. She finds Stanley loud and rough, calling him 'common,' while Stanley resents her presence and suspects her motives. Blanche is nervous, avoids bright light, and has a drinking problem. Stanley later questions her about her earlier marriage to a young man who committed suicide after she expressed disgust at his homosexual encounter. Stanley, concerned about inheritance, demands documents for Belle Reve and learns Stella is pregnant.
Reader's Guide
A Streetcar Named Desire remains a cornerstone of American theater, noted for its raw portrayal of class conflict, mental illness, and sexual tension. The original Broadway production starred Jessica Tandy as Blanche and Marlon Brando as Stanley, with Kim Hunter as Stella and Karl Malden as Mitch. The play's debut was met with applause despite its shocking scenes. Its exploration of memory, desire, and societal decline has cemented its place in dramatic literature.
Did You Know?
- The play's title refers to the Desire streetcar line, which ran half a block from where Tennessee Williams lived in the French Quarter.
- Blanche arrives at Stella's apartment by riding a streetcar on the Desire line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Streetcar Named Desire?
It is a three-act play by Tennessee Williams that follows Blanche DuBois, a fragile former Southern belle, as she moves into a cramped New Orleans apartment shared by her sister Stella and her husband Stanley. The drama centers on themes of desire, loss, and the collision between illusion and brutal reality within a fractured family.
Who are the main characters in A Streetcar Named Desire?
The core cast includes Blanche DuBois, her sister Stella Kowalski, and Stella's husband Stanley Kowalski, with Harold 'Mitch' Mitchell appearing as a secondary romantic interest for Blanche. Their overlapping desires and resentances drive the play's escalating family conflict.
How does A Streetcar Named Desire end?
Blanche is led away by a doctor after her mental deterioration becomes irreversible, leaving the Kowalskis alone. Stella's final line—asking to be taken home by the 'streetcar named Desire'—underscores the inescapable cycle of their relationship.
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