, Thesis:
In A Streetcar Named Desire, Williams has portrayed the lower class, the proletariat, as
strong and rising up while the upper class is fragile and slowly falling. The lower class is the
future of new America, post World War Two, whereas the power of the upper class is slowly
disintegrating.
Outline:
1. Explain how the upper class is presented by Williams in A Streetcar Named Desire
through Blanche being portrayed as not self-sufficient and fragile.
2. To explore the message behind Williams portraying the lower class as stronger than
the upper class.
3. Compare the language used by characters belonging to both classes and how this is
significant.
Paragraph plan:
1. Paragraph 1: The introduction – Who the play was written by, where it’s set and when
and the involvement of class conflict in the play.
2. Paragraph 2: Analysis of the characters of Blanche, Stanley and Stella and what
section of society they belong to.
3. Paragraph 3: Why Blanche is portrayed as fragile throughout the play whereas Stanley
is always strong and authoritative.
4. Paragraph 4: ‘Her appearance is incongruous to the setting.’ Explain why Williams
has used this declarative and what it means.
5. Paragraph 5: Significance of Elysian Fields to Blanche and Stanley.
6. Paragraph 6: Importance of clothes and material belongings to Blanche and how that
characteristic is shared by the upper class. Stanley refers to Blanche as a pirate.