A Streetcar Named Desire 2

"We are all civilized people, which means that we are all savages at heart, but observing a few amenities of civilized behavior." Tennessee Williams. To what extent is this view of life reflected in the actions of Stanley, Blanche and Stella? 'A Streetcar Named Desire' is a very socially challenging play in the way in which Tennessee Williams depicts how brutal and deceiving human nature can be. He takes the point of view that no …

…spiritual torment and repressed sexuality. Perhaps 'A Streetcar Named Desire' is a pre-quel to his 'Memoirs' (1975) where Williams described his own problems with drugs and alcohol and his struggle with his homosexuality. William's struggle with homosexuality is symbolized in A Streetcar Named Desire, by Blanches husband who kills himself because he cannot live in a society that oppresses gay and lesbians. William's shows the reader that there is a new type of savage, civilized society.