Minor Characters | A supporting character who is needed to advance the plot, or reveal crucial details, but the audience does not know much about them. |
Music | How does Williams use music on the stage? Think about the Varsouviana Polka, and the songs the Blanche sings. |
Dependence | The state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else. |
Reputation | The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something. In 'A Streetcar Named Desire' Blanche tries to escape her reputation, whereas the men try to build a strong, dominating masculine reputation. |
Elegy | A poem written in elegiac couplets. Or a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead. |
Transcendence | Existence or experience beyond the normal or physical level. |
Illusion | A deceptive appearance or impression. Also perceived within Williams' play as fantasy. Blanche creates a false sense of herself, however it may not be entirely deceptive, as it is her version of reality. |
Antagonsitic | Showing or feeling active opposition or hostility towards someone or something. Many of Williams' characters have an antagonistic relationship with Blanche, as she is from a different life and holds different ideals. |
Reality | The state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them. In Williams' play Stanley wants to expose Blanche and show the real her. |
Domestic | Williams' play is largely set within the home of Stella and Stanley, and revolves around their interactions with each other and their friends. It involves domestic disputes and relations and also exposes the domestic issues of the other characters. |
Prejudice | Preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. In Williams' play Blanche is prejudiced against Stanley and his friends, but equally Stanley acts against Blanche from the start. |
Sexuality | The way characters present themselves in terms of sex. Williams' play is centred around this and sex, and it is important to understand how the characters act, and how they wish to be perceived to understand their agendas. |
Light | How does Williams use lighting on the stage? Blanche covers the light with a paper lantern. The use of the red light in the poker game. Also references to the light like Allan's suicide. |