Williams A Streetcar Named Desire

THE STORY: The play reveals to the very depths the character of Blanche du Bois, a woman whose life has been undermined by her romantic illusions, which lead her to reject--so far as possible--the realities of life with which she is faced and which s

A continuous history of the play, Streetcar named desire in production from 1947 to 1998, with emphasis on the Broadway premiere.

Presents a collection of ten critical essays on Williams's play "A Streetcar Named Desire" arranged in chronological order of publication.

Shows the decline of the land-owming Southern artictocracy and sexual frustrations.

(Vocal Score). This wonderful new American opera, based on the unforgettable Tennessee Williams play, has been broadcast around the world and recorded live on Deutsche Grammaphon, and it's been a big hit ever since its premiere last year at the San Francisco Opera. Libretto by Philip Littell. Instrumental parts available for rental.

A Doll's House is a three-act play written by Henrik Ibsen in 1879. It is a groundbreaking play that explores the themes of marriage, gender roles, and identity in 19th century society. Ibsen's play was met with controversy and outrage due to its bold critique of the traditional roles of men and women in marriage. The play has since become a classic of modern drama and is widely studied and performed in educational institutions around the world. The play is set in Norway and follows the story of Nora Helmer, a seemingly happy and content housewife. However, as the play unfolds, we see that Nora is living a double life. She has secretly borrowed money to save her husband's life, and is now being blackmailed by the lender. The play depicts Nora's struggle to find her true identity and the consequences of living a life based on societal expectations rather than her own desires. One of the main themes explored in the play is the role of women in marriage. Nora is portrayed as a typical 19th century wife, who is expected to be obedient, nurturing, and submissive. However, as the play progresses, we see that Nora is not content with this role and longs for independence and self-discovery. Ibsen challenges the traditional gender roles and shows how society's expectations can suffocate and limit an individual's growth. Another important theme in the play is the concept of identity. Nora's character undergoes a transformation throughout the play as she begins to question her role as a wife and mother. She realizes that she has been living a life that is not truly her own, and she must break free from societal expectations to find her true self. This theme is also reflected in the character of Torvald, Nora's husband, who is more concerned with his social status and reputation than his wife's happiness. Ibsen also uses symbolism throughout the play to convey deeper meanings. The title "A Doll's House" itself is significant, as it represents the idea that women were seen as mere playthings or objects in a patriarchal society. The Christmas tree, a recurring symbol in the play, represents the facade of happy family life that Nora and Torvald try to maintain. However, as the tree begins to shed its decorations, it symbolizes the unraveling of Nora's perfect facade. At the time of its publication, A Doll's House was met with harsh criticism and was deemed scandalous due to its portrayal of a woman challenging societal norms. However, its impact on modern drama cannot be overstated. Ibsen's play paved the way for a new genre of realistic drama and influenced many other playwrights to explore similar themes. It continues to be studied and performed today, as it remains relevant in its critique of societal expectations and the struggle for individual identity.

This revised Student Edition includes an introduction by Bess Rowen, Assistant Professor at Villanova University, US, which looks in particular at the play's treatment of rape, vulnerable people, mental institutions (especially in connection to Williams's own family), sexuality and sexual desire. A Streetcar Named Desire shows a turbulent confrontation between traditional values in the American South - an old-world graciousness and beauty running decoratively to seed - set against the rough-edged, aggressive materialism of the new world. Through the vividly characterised figures of Southern belle Blanche Dubois, seeking refuge from physical ugliness in decayed gentility, and her brutal brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski, Tennessee Williams dramatises his sense of the South's past as still active and often destructive in modern America. METHUEN DRAMA STUDENT EDITIONS are expertly annotated texts of a wide range of plays from the modern and classic repertoires. A well as the complete text of the play itself, this volume contains: · A chronology of the play and the playwright's life and work · An introductory discussion of the social, political, cultural and economic context in which the play was originally conceived and created · A succinct overview of the creation processes followed and subsequent performance history of the piece · An analysis of, and commentary on, some of the major themes and specific issues addressed by the text · A bibliography of suggested primary and secondary materials for further study

Introduction, by J.Y. Miller.--Notebook for A streetcar named Desire, by E. Kazan.--Review of a tryout performance in Boston, by E. Hughes.--Streetcar named Desire sets season's high in acting, writing, by J. Chapman.--Streetcar named Desire is striking drama, by R. Watts, Jr.--"Streetcar" tragedy--Mr. Williams' report on life in New Orleans, by B. Atkinson.--O'Neill status won by author of "Streetcar", by H. Barnes.--The streetcar isn't drawn by Pegasus, by G.J. Nathan.--Review of Streetcar named Desire, by J.W. Krutch.--Southern discomfort, by J.M. Brown.--Masterpiece, by I. Shaw.--Miss Vivien Leigh, by H. Hobson.--Laughter dans le tramway, by R. MacColl.--Williams' feminine characters, by D. da Ponte.--A trio of Tennessee Williams' heroines: the psychology of prostitution, by P. Weissman.--Tennessee Williams and the tragedy of sensitivity, by J.T. von Szeliski.--The innocence of Tennessee Williams, by M. Magid.--A streetcar named Desire--Neitzsche descending, by J.N. Riddell.--Most famous of streetcars, by W.D. Sievers.--The southern gentlewoman, by S. Falk.--Tennessee Williams: Streetcar to glory, by C.W.E. Bigsby.--Selected bibliography (p. 116-119).