1. Agree or Disagree?
All the male characters in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ are disturbing and harmful?

2. Context
The mid-twentieth century was a time of great social upheaval. The two world wars had invested marginalised groups with sudden power, and for a short time the balance of power between the genders had shifted. However by the 1950s men had once again taken the upper hand. It was into this setting that Tennessee Williams brought his dynamic drama, A Streetcar Named Desire into the world. This violent and brutal play discusses the struggle between men and women within downtown American society.

3. Masculinity in 1950’s America\
The ‘All American Male’

4. Context of Reception
When the first audiences watched the play in 1947 and the film in 1952, both Kazan and Williams were horrified by the real sympathy that people felt for Stanley Kowlaski In fact, in one production, the audience actually clapped when Blanche was raped. In many ways Stanley was seen as a ‘working class hero’ who was rightly putting the pretentious and deceitful Blanche in her place as the man of the house.
How would a modern day audience respond differently to the character of Stanley?
How would a feminist interpretation be different?
How do you think Williams wanted us to feel about Stanley?

5. Opening Stage Directions
Two men come round the corner, Stanley Kowalski and Mitch. They are about twenty eight-or thirty years old roughly dressed in blue denim work clothes. Stanley carried his bowling jacket and a red stained package. He heaves the package at her. She cries out in protest but manages to catch it: then she laughs breathlessly.
To what extent are Mitch and Stanley similar characters?

6. Stanley V Mitch - Stanley Mitch Scene 3 Group 1 Scene 6 Group 2

7. Your Task
For the scene that you have been allocated, analyse the dramatic presentation of Mitch/Stanley in that scene.
Consider:
-Their speech Stage directions
-Behaviour Props
-Treatment of Blanche Dramatic purpose
-Costume

8. Agree or Disagree?
All the male characters in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ are disturbing and harmful?

9. Possible Thesis Statements…...