A Streetcar Named Desire (unfinished)

A Streetcar Named Desire was written by Tennessee Williams who worked as a playwright in an American theatre. Born on the 26th March, in Mississippi into a conservative Protestant family, Tennessee was found to be completely by his older sister, Rose's, side. During his youth he was known as 'Tom' and found that his company mostly was spent with his sister and his black nursemaid 'Ozzie'. It was found that Tennessee got some of his inspirational backgroung from his sister who was later lobotomized in 1937. He may have related the character 'Blanche' to his sister. At the age of 16, he won third prize for an essay which was followed by him writing a short story which was sucessfully published in a magazine,'Weird Tales'. From 1929-1931 he attended the university of Missiouri, from then on his passion for writing grew especially when he was bored of the nine-five work.He had many influences which did not come mostly from his parents as their relationship was not working and it seems Tennessee was not fond of this. His play, A Streetcar Named Desire cured his place of being a succesful writer and a lot of publicity was found to be upon it, good and bad. However, this was a start and on Wednesday, October 12th 1949 the first London production of this play was performed at the Aldwych Theatre.


The Story
A Streetcar Desire is set during the restless years after WW2 in 1947, New Orleans, where America had just recovered.
This is centered mostly centered around the two characters Blanche and Stanley, both from different sides of society.

The Meaning Behind The Title

Williams may have picked this title because of the real streetcar that ran on the Desire line 1920-1948. The knowledge of this is present in the play when Blanche mentions this ,"They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at..."

Bandleader and Trumpeter Louis Armstrong

Music

 Jazz, the Blues and Ragtime had been the centre highlight of New Orleans music. Jazz in general has a lot of history behind it especially as it is a mix of African and European music traditions, which come in different forms from the earliest time of a Big band-style swing to the modern 'nu Jazz'. At the early stages of this type of music, it was during the roaring twenties when reputations where not highly in a good position, this seemed was blamed a new era and 'Jazz'.