Literary Analysis of A Streetcar Named Desire

• Rough Draft due (2 ½ page minimum)—Wednesday, Nov. 4 (11:59pm) • Final Paper Due (minimum 4 pages)—Sunday, Nov. 11 (11:59 PM) What will I be writing about? You have the option of responding to one of the prompts below OR designing your own thesis/topic about Tennessee Williams’s play A Streetcar Named Desire. For this paper you must use and cite Williams’s play AND reference a minimum of two additional outside sources, one of which must be a peer-reviewed article from our database. PROMPT A)Tennessee Williams’s setting of post-World War II New Orleans reflects monumental changes in the mid-twentieth century America: racial integration, fading distinctions between economic classes, and less attention being paid to the significance of family lineage. Critics have gone so far as to suggest Blanche’s deteriorating mental state reflects the collapse of the aristocratic “Old South.” How does Williams’s play represent these shifts in American culture? Are they characterized as positive or negatives changes? Be sure to use specific quotes, descriptions, and events from the play to support your thesis. Visit DCCC’s library and databases to locate articles by literary critics and/or historians that support your viewpoint. PROMPT B)How is Williams’ play commenting on the nature of gender roles in mid-twentieth century America? Does Stanley represent the ideal of American masculinity? Or does Mitch? Is Stella’s role as a doting housewife heralded as the feminine ideal? Or are viewers to admire (instead of condemn) Blanche’s former independence and sexual history? Develop a thesis about Tennessee Williams’s characterization of gender roles and/or what abstract idea(s) about gender he is communicating to his audience. Be sure to use specific quotes, descriptions, characterizations, and events from the play to support your thesis. Visit DCCC’s library and databases to locate articles by literary critics and/or scholars from the field of gender studies that support your viewpoint. Do I need to do any outside research? Yes! You need to reference at least TWOscholarly/peer-reviewed articles and one other credible source: this can be a book, an article from the database, a movie review, etc.In your essay, it is important to briefly introduce your reader to each source, then to take specific quotes/examples/paraphrased statements from each that support your thesis.We will review how to include in-text citations, paraphrased statements, and long quotes, as well ashow to reference your sources in your Works Cited. How will this style of writing benefit me outside of this course? Designing an argument and supporting it with evidence from a variety of outside sources is not only essential to writing academic papers, but an importantcomposition skill for a variety of professional fields. What exactly are you looking for in my paper?I am looking for clear, well-structured, effective writing that reflects your critical thinking about the play. (Be sure to refer to my grading rubric on Webstudy.) Furthermore, I’m looking for the application of MLA format and citation techniques and an understanding of theelements of drama reviewed in class. Finally, I’m eager to see your own thoughts about and analysis of Streetcar! What can I do if I’m confused or stressed about this assignment?If you are confused about any part of the assignment or are looking for help with your writing, you are encouraged to email me and visit me during office hours, work with writing tutors andlibrarians in the Learning Commons, and to use Smart-Thinking. (See our syllabus for details on these resources).